Ahmed Ag Kaedy

Ahmed Ag Kaedy (born 1979) is a Malian guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the leader of the group Amanar de Kidal. Originally from Kidal, he is a member of the nomadic Tuareg people, whose distinct style of rhythm and use of the guitar is often referred to as "Desert Blues". He is one of the main characters in the 2016 big screen documentary "Mali Blues". [1]

Biography

As a child, Ag Kaedy had no particular connection to playing music other than the rich musical tradition of his people. As a young man, like many of his peers, he enlisted in the military,[2] taking up arms for the Libyan government then controlled by Muammar al-Qaddafi, who was one of the few offering a perspective for young Tuaregs eager for rebellion. It was in Libya where he first discovered the guitar. It quickly became clear to him that it was the guitar that represented his true calling, rather than the military.[3]

Upon returning from Libya, he started his group Amanar in 2007. The band quickly gained fame in the region[4], playing local festivities and marriages. They won the prize for best new group at the Festival au Desert in 2010, which gave them the opportunity to travel to Europe and start gaining international notability.[5] Within the Tuareg community of Mali, Ahmed Ag Kaedy and Amanar have become household names, thanks in part to regular appearances on Malian national TV.[6]

In 2012 the Tuareg rebellion flared up, with strong Jihadist elements leading to, amongst other things, a prohibition of public performance of music. Under personal threats[7], Ag Kaedy could no longer work in his home[8][9], and was forced into exile,[10] first to Niger and later to Bamako.

He has since toured extensively throughout Africa, Europe and America, spreading his message of peace and advocating for the education of his people.[11]

In 2018 he recorded his album Akaline Kidal in Portland, Oregon.[12] The album was Bandcamp Album of the Day on March 08, 2019[13] and was also featured on NPR.[14]

Discography
  • 2010 Amanar de Kidal
  • 2012 Amanar, Bombino et al.
  • 2015 Amanar de Kidal
  • 2017 Various - Agrim Agadez – Musique Guitare De La Republique Du Niger (LP)
  • 2017 Onom Agemo And The Disco Jumpers Feat. Ahmed Ag Kaedy - Onin Okalan (7", Single)
  • 2018 Ahmed Ag Kaedy - Orion Congregation
  • 2019 Ahmed Ag Kaedy - Akaline Kidal

Filmography
  • 2013 Woodstock in Timbuktu
  • 2016 Mali Blues
  • 2016 CGTN Faces of Africa: Ahmed Ag Kaedi A gun for a guitar
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References
  1. https://kellogg.nd.edu/mali-blues-starring-ahmed-ag-kaedy
  2. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/for-malis-tuareg-music-speaks-of-suffering-and-the-sahara
  3. "CGTN Faces of Africa: A gun for a guitar". CGTN.
  4. Marchal, Roland (2018). "Politique africaine N-149: Radicalisations, science et politique". Politique africaine. 149: 130 – via Google Books.
  5. "Amanar Official Website". Sahelsounds.
  6. Moisa, Daniela (2015). La diversité des patrimoines: Du rejet du discours à l’éloge des pratiques. PUQ. ISBN 2760543862.
  7. Morgan, Andy (2013). Music, Culture and Conflict in Mali. Freemuse. p. 52. ISBN 8798816373.
  8. Faivre, Agnès (2015-05-27). "Mali : la musique à l'épreuve de la crise". Le Point (in French). Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  9. "Mali Blues Film Review". New York Times.
  10. https://www.wweek.com/music/2019/02/28/ahmed-ag-kaedy-was-exiled-from-mali-for-playing-music-so-he-recorded-his-album-in-portland-instead/
  11. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Les petits frères de Tinariwen | DW | 17.02.2014". DW.COM (in French). Retrieved 2019-11-20.
  12. https://www.wweek.com/music/2019/02/28/ahmed-ag-kaedy-was-exiled-from-mali-for-playing-music-so-he-recorded-his-album-in-portland-instead/
  13. https://daily.bandcamp.com/album-of-the-day/ahmed-ag-kaedy-akaline-kidal-review
  14. https://www.npr.org/artists/711366010/ahmed-ag-kaedy
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