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Tinariwen

Tinariwen is a band from the Sahara Desert region of northern Mali. Their name comes from “Kel Tinariwen” which translates into “desert boys,” They were formed in 1979 by Ibrahim Ag Alhabib. Ibrahim’s life lacks no hardship and horror . He witnessed the brutal execution of his father at age 4 during an uprising in Mali. His childhood was an experience filled with poverty and the ever looming possibility of being murdered by warring political and religious factions. While rummaging through a garbage strewn field in his early teens, Ibrahim built his own guitar out of a tin can, a stick and bicycle brake wire. He received his first acoustic guitar while in a refugee camp in Algeria. In the late 70’s Ibrahim joined with other local musicians exploring local African protest music while at the same time being heavily influenced by western artists like Led Zeppelin, Santana, Hendrix and Dire Straits. Despite enduring the oppression of military training imposed on them by Gaddafi,Tinariwen were able maintain their unified musical vision. Undeterred and driven by their shared passion, they slowly began to gather international recognition.

For those of you who aren’t aware of Tinariwen, their music is a fascinating fusion of West African music and elements of western Classic Rock.They are a true study in mankind’s’s ability to overcome extreme adversity and create beauty. WARNING: This may very well be the most fascinating music you will ever hear.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

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