Radio de Maryam Mursal

Maryam Mursal (born January 1, 1950) is a famous musician from Somalia. She is a composer and vocalist. Mursal grew up in a Muslim family with four daughters. As a teenager, she broke tradition and began singing professionally in Mogadishu. She performed in nightclubs and her brand of music, featuring a mix of blues, soul African and Arabic influences, and known as "Somali jazz", became popular across the country. She performed solo and with Waaberi a 300-member music and dance troupe associated with the Somali National Theatre. After criticizing the government, she was banned from singing for two years, and made her living driving a taxi.