Multitrack: Somali Funk- A Story of Sonic Resistance

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Somali Funk- A Story of Sonic Resistance

BBC Radio 4 - Multitrack, Somali Funk- A Story of Sonic Resistance

A personal journey to find the story behind a funk inspired 80s East African revolution.

First-time producer Sagal Hersi’s personal journey to reveal the part played by revolutionary musicians in the overthrow of one of East Africa’s most feared dictators.

First time Producer Sagal Hersi’s chance encounter with some funk music from her parents time in Somalia sparks a journey to discover how it was used to unite and strengthen the movement for change in Somalia in the 70s and 80s. 

Often frustrating, the messy story reveals much but leaves Sagal with perhaps more questions than answers.

This short documentary could not have been made without Multitrack a charity set up with the aim of making the Audio industry more inclusive and accessible. Sagal, who made the programme, undertook the Multitrack Fellowship and this programme is the culmination of that course.

The music for this short documentary came from 'Sweet as Broken Dates: Lost Somali Tapes from the Horn of Africa' on Ostinato Records and 'Volume 5'  on Awesome Tapes From Africa


Written Presented and Produced by Sagal Hersi
Edited by Leon Chambers
Music by kind permission of Ostinato Records and Awesome Tapes From Africa
Executive Producer: Gordon Kennedy

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