Songhoy Blues: Music in Exile

Songhoy Blues is a Malian music group that was formed in exile in 2012. The group’s music is a mix of traditional Songhoy sounds and modern rock and blues.

Introducing Songhoy Blues

Songhoy Blues is a band from Mali that is comprised of exiles who fled the country during the 2012 conflict. The band’s music is a blend of traditional Malian music and modern rock and roll, and their lyrics often deal with topics such as exile, war, and displacement. Despite the serious subject matter of their songs, Songhoy Blues’ music is upbeat and catchy, and the band has quickly gained popularity both in Mali and abroad. In this article, we’ll learn more about Songhoy Blues’ music and story.

The Band’s History

Songhoy Blues is a Mali desert blues band. The group was formed in 2012 in Timbuktu, Mali after the Tuareg Rebellion, when members of the Songhoy ethnic group were forced to flee their homes. The band’s music is a mix of traditional Songhoy sounds and modern rock and blues.

Forming the Band

The band was formed in 2012 in Timbuktu, Mali by Aliou Touré (guitar), Garba Touré (bass), Oumar Touré (drums), and Nathanael Dembélé (keyboards). The four members were all part of a group of Malian musicians who were forced to flee their homes due to the Ansar Dine insurgency. When they arrived in Bamako, the capital city of Mali, they decided to form a band. The band’s name comes from the Songhoy people, who are native to northern Mali.

The band’s debut album, Music in Exile, was released in 2015. The album was recorded in just two weeks in a makeshift studio in Bamako. It received critical acclaim from music critics, who praised its hybrid sound of traditional Malian music and contemporary rock and blues.

The Band’s First Gigs

Songhoy Blues started playing together in Mali in 2012, just as the country was plunged into political turmoil. The band members, who are all from the Songhoy ethnic group, had to flee their homes and take refuge in a refugee camp in neighboring Burkina Faso. It was there that they started playing music together, and soon they were performing for other refugees in the camp.

In 2013, the band was invited to perform at the Festival in the Desert, a world music festival in Essakane, Mali. This was a big break for them, and led to more opportunities to perform both inside and outside of Mali. In 2014, they released their first album, Music in Exile, which brought them international attention.

The band has continued to tour and release albums despite the ongoing conflict in Mali. They see their music as a way to bring people together and give voice to those who are suffering.

The Band’s Music

Songhoy Blues is a band from Mali that performs a unique style of music called desert blues. The band’s music is a mix of traditional Malian music and modern rock and blues. Songhoy Blues was formed in 2012 by four friends who were forced to leave their homes in Mali due to the 2012 Tuareg Rebellion. The band’s music is a way for them to share their culture and stories with the world.

The Band’s Sound

Songhoy Blues is a Malian desert blues band that was formed in Bamako, Mali in 2002. The band’s sound is a mix of traditional Songhoy music, Malian desert blues, and modern rock and roll. The band’s music has been featured in films and television shows such as The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and True Detective.

The Band’s Influences

Songhoy Blues’ music has been influenced by many different factors. One of the most significant influences on their sound is the band’s homeland of Mali. Mali is a West African country that is home to a large number of musical styles, including traditional folk music, pop, rock, and hip hop.

Songhoy Blues’ music also draws from the band members’ experience as refugees. The band was forced to flee their homes in 2012 due to the conflict in Mali. This experience has shaped their songwriting and performance, resulting in a unique sound that combines elements of both traditional and modern music.

The Band’s Lyrics

The Songhoy Blues are a Malian group who rose to prominence in the years following the Islamist occupation of northern Mali. Their music has been described as “a reflection of the pain of exile and displacement”. In this article, we’ll take a look at the band’s lyrics and what they mean.

The Band’s Message

Songhoy Blues is a Malian desert blues band that was formed in Bamako, Mali in 2002. The band members are all Songhoy, members of a nomadic ethnic group that has its roots in the ancient Songhoy Empire. The band’s music is deeply influenced by the traditional music of their homeland, as well as by the modern sounds of American R&B and rap.

Despite the fact that they are living in exile, the band members see themselves as ambassador’s for their culture and use their music to spread messages of peace and tolerance. In a time when Mali is being torn apart by religious violence, the band’s message is one of hope and unity.

The lyrics of Songhoy Blues’ song “Bamako” perfectly encapsulate the band’s message:

“Bamako is the capital of Mali / But it’s not just a city / It’s a state of mind / A state of being / A state of grace /

We may be far from home / But we carry our home with us / In our hearts / In our music / In our soul

This is Bamako / Our Bamako / A city of peace / A city of love / A city of hope”

The Band’s Legacy

Songhoy Blues is a Grammy-nominated Malian desert blues band. The band was formed in 2012 by exiles from the north of Mali who were forced to flee their homes due to the Islamist takeover. The band has gone on to release two albums and tour the world, bringing the music of the Mali desert to new audiences.

The Band’s Impact

Songhoy Blues is a band that has had a profound impact on music, both in their native Mali and around the world. Their music is a mix of traditional Malian sounds and modern influences, and their lyrics often deal with political and social issues. They have won critical acclaim for their albums “Music in Exile” and “Rough Guide to Mali”, and have been nominated for several Grammy Awards. They are also known for their work with Amnesty International, which has helped to raise awareness of human rights issues in Mali.