Saying farewell to stage, Somali music Icon, Hassan Adan Samatar, takes a bow

In a momentous announcement, Somali music legend Hassan Adan Samatar, at the age of 70, has decided to retire from the stage. The renowned singer and guitarist, born to an artistic family in Dinsoor, Somalia in 1953, disclosed his decision in the presence of Sheikh Keenyawi, pledging to embrace a life dedicated to practicing Islam and memorising the Quran.

Samatar's musical journey began in his early years, singing during childhood and later mastering the guitar. While many of his early tunes were in the Maay dialect, most of his songs have been in Standard Somali. His debut mainstream song, "Hadaad diido hadalkayga," emerged in 1974.

Having won the 1971 edition of Heesaha Hirgalay, a talent show considered Somalia's equivalent of American Idol, Samatar quickly became a prominent figure in the nation's music scene. He joined Waaberi, the premier Somali musical ensemble, and solidified his leadership in both the music and theater domains.

Over his illustrious career, Samatar produced a musical corpus exceeding 200 songs and collaborated with other Somali luminaries such as Saado Cali, Khadija Qalanjo, and Seynab Haji Ali. His timeless hits have remained a staple in Somali weddings and gatherings, with popular tracks including "Balaadweine," "Qalanjo," "Markan Da’da Jiray," "Duceysane Wilkayow," "Kajar," "Haad ba Haad Kiciya," "Qorahdo Arorti," "Doqoney," and many more.

Having recently resettled in Djibouti from Toronto and Amsterdam, Samatar's retirement was warmly acknowledged by Islamic Preacher Sheikh Keenyaawi. Encouraging fans to embrace Samatar's new chapter, Keenyawi proclaimed, “From today onwards, he is Sheikh Hassan Aden Samar and not a musician.”

As the curtain falls on Samatar's musical career, his legacy as a Somali music icon remains etched in the hearts of fans worldwide.