"Drum," short for "Dararamleh," has been a Somaliland music icon since the 1950’s. He also released a series of influential, classical songs in the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. Arguably, his masterpiece was "shacni iyo wanaag," a 1971 cassette recording in which he led a stellar ensemble, which included the great "Oud" player "Xodeydeh." "Drum" recently reissued "shacni iyo wanaag," a fine recording that features "Drum’s" "Oud" playing for the first time.
His latest effort proves that the singer’s touch and talent are very much intact. Whether he is singing or playing the "Oud," "Drum" singularly investigates the possibilities of musical space and pushes harmonic and melodic limits.
When "Drum" visited Somaliland in 1998 for the first time since independence, he began his homage by performing in front of a live audience at an open air theater called "Timacade." The audience responded by giving him ovations. The strong response was so gratifying that "Drum" declared in public that he will move back from London - where he resides now - to Somaliland as soon as possible. In fact, the public response reminded him of his youth in Hargeisa, as a singer/musician and actor. He collaborated with such luminaries as Barkhad Cas, Abdillahi Qarshe, Mohamed Ismail "Xudaydi," Mohamed Mogeh, Ahmed Mogeh, Faisel and the rest of the famous "Barkhad Cas Band" during those early days.
It was through playing and singing alongside such masters that "Drum" found his own voice and his own path.
In an interview with "Jamhuuriya," a daily newspaper from Hargeisa, Somaliland, "Drum" emphasized how his music is deeply rooted in Somaliland musical traditions. Furthermore, he points out, "Since Somaliland music is just like any other art form, it’s impossible to move ahead without properly appreciating what has been done so far by Somaliland music pioneers."
"Drum" points to predecessors who inspired him such as Abdillahi Qarshe, the foremost Somaliland singer/musician in the 1950’s and early 1960’s; Mohamed Saeed nicknamed "Gu’ Roon Jire" the great composer/oud player and singer in the 1940’s, ‘50s, and ‘60s; and last but not least Saxardiid Mohamed "Raaxeeye," poet, songwriter, playwright, and composer.
"Drum" considers "Raaxeeye" to be one of the most talented composers of all time. He says, "Saxardeed is to me one of the most gifted of all the composers, because he does not play any instrument or sing. But, yet, he composed some of the best Qaraami songs ever put to music.
School Days
Upon finishing school at the clerical Training Center (CTC) in Hargeisa, Somaliland, in the late 1950’s, he was hired by the Somaliland postal authority as an accountant. He worked there until he got a scholarship to Cairo’s prestigious "Academy of Music," along with his two close friends and co-singers - Ahmed Mohamed Goode "Shimbir" and Faisel Omer Mushteeg.
"Drum" came back to his hometown Hargeisa in the mid 1960’s, where he became one of the city’s cultural and musical stars. "Lii La Low," a popular song in the 1960’s, became "Drum’s" signature song. Incidentally, this song is considered by many Somaliland music critics as a masterpiece. He sang another famous song that praised black women’s beauty, called "Weli wa Caaruroo."
"Xudaydi," who arranged the music and wrote the lyrics, shows his musicianship in this song. The music literally blows your mind. While longtime fans will relish "Xudaydi’s" anarchic imagination and exploratory way with a melody line, they may also be surprised with "Drum’s" voice and musical vision.
"Drum’s" voice is ever on a journey of discovery, with each performance taking new detours, as listeners keep their ears tuned to every turn.
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