Stunned and Flabbergasted: Cedar Cultural Center to Host Two Phenomenal East African Music Legends!

Date: Friday June 2, 2023

Author: Amina Isir Musa

Buckle up, folks, because Gili Yalo and Nimcaan Hilaac are about to take you on a wild ride through their vastly different musical and cultural backgrounds. Prepare to have your mind blown by the unique and electrifying sounds that will soon reverberate through the Cedar-Riverside community.

Can you hear it? The horns are blaring, signaling the arrival of two East African music stars who will captivate audiences with their performances at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.

Cedar-Riverside locals are in for a treat as they listen to the familiar beats of their community, while the broader Twin Cities area is in for an eye-opening experience as they discover the vibrant sounds of the Horn of Africa. Gili Yalo, born in Ethiopia and raised in Israel, will perform on Thursday, June 1, accompanied by his five-man band. Expect to be taken on a wild musical journey as he fuses English, Amharic, funk, and psychedelic sounds, expressing the beauty of his diaspora roots.

Joining him on stage is Minnesota’s Cedar Commissions artist DJ Fawzi, a talented Somali international DJ and rapper who enchants audiences with her melodies crooned mainly in Somali, while donning stunning traditional Somali evening wear.

The very next day, Friday, June 2, Somalia’s Nimcaan Hilaac will take the Cedar stage by storm. Raised in Hargeysa, a city known for its artistic and cultural heritage in Somalia, Nimcaan’s career has been defined by his sincerity and charm. This free-spirited and accomplished artist is not only a singer but also an active and influential community leader, who recently immigrated to the United States with his young American-born children.

Nimcaan is the first Somali artist to perform in Somali at the Cedar since 2019, so you won’t want to miss the magic he will bring on that night. His heart-wrenching songs of love, nationalism, and heartbreak resonate with both young and old and will transport you to another world. Listen to his classic hits such as “Jacaylki Qabyoobay,” “Ka Reystay Bukaaanadii,” and “Soomalinimo” and feel the depth of his passion and talent.

Nimcaan is thrilled to share Somali music with non-Somali audiences and has made it accessible by providing sheet music for musicians to play along to. Bashir Jaawi, who has made a name for himself with his hit song from Nimcaan’s show in eastern Ethiopia in 2019, will join Nimcaan on stage.

This concert is not just a musical feast, it’s a cultural journey that will take you through the diverse experiences of Gili Yalo and Nimcaan Hilaac. Don’t miss this electrifying and transformative show, you’ll regret it!

GILI YALO WITH DJ FAWZI

Where: Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis.

When: Thursday, June 1. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show at 7:30 p.m.

Accommodations: Standing show with an open floor.

Tickets:$20 in advance, $25 on day of show.

NIMCAAN HILAAC AND HIS BAND, WITH BASHIR JAAWI

Where: Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

When: Friday, June 2. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m.

Accommodations: Standing show with an open floor.

Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 on day of show.