Episode 72
Amaal's Inspirational Journey: From Somali Refugee to Juno-Nominated Singer-Songwriter
Somali-Canadian singer-songwriter Amaal joins us for today's podcast episode. Amaal began her remarkable journey in war-torn Mogadishu, where she and her family lived until they were forced to flee as refugees in the early 1990s. Starting fresh in Toronto, she embraced the poetic nature of her cultural heritage. Still, she bristled at the conservative structures and customs that came with it, particularly the repressive expectations placed upon women. By the time she hit 20, Amaal had grown bold enough to begin making her music. However, she still felt limited as to what she could sing about, so she focused her creative energy on politically and socially conscious material inspired by the civil unrest in Somalia and the struggles her people faced. In 2019, Amaal finally worked up the courage to step outside her comfort zone with the release of Black Dove, a critical smash, garnering a Juno nomination for Soul/R&B Recording of the Year! Amaal's sophomore EP, Milly, is available wherever you stream your music or podcast. Amaal connects with the hosts today to discuss her journey to Toronto, her connection to her culture, and how she eventually became comfortable expressing her true story.
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Opening Credits: Daniel Cowans, Musical Director @ The DNA Project
Produced By: Anthony Lewis and Diriki Palmer
Mixed and Edited By: Mat Keselman
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