Draft:Osman Abdelrahim

Osman Abdelrahim (born January 15, 1948) is a well-known Eritrean songwriter, composer and singer. He rose to fame in Eritrea, singing songs with messages of love and with political themes, performing primarily in Tigrinya, Arabic, Tigre and Italian.

= Biography =

Osman was born in the Eritrean port city Massawa to parents Rahma Berhan and Hajji Abdurahim Osman. Osman grew up in the capital city Asmara, where he honed his craft. He studied at the Arab Community School of Jalia.

Eritrea’s popular music scene is widely regarded as starting in the 1960s. Centred around the famed Asmara Theatre Association, known as MaTA. The music scene in the capital Asmara boomed with the arrival of Kagnew Station, a US army radio installation which broadcast American music to the public.

Like many musical artists in Eritrea of his generation, Osman began his career in the Mahber Theatre Asmara (Mat'A) in the 1960s. Osman’s music alternated between messages of love and social consciousness, often crossing over. His modern music arrangements borrowed from western influences also played a role in shaping the music of the time.

Osman released love songs such as ‘Ab ketema mitsiwa’ (In the city Mitsiwa) and ‘Adey weladitey’ (roughly translated as ‘my dearest mother who brought me into this world’). The song released at a time when young Eritreans were separated from their mothers as they either went to join the armed struggle for independence or fled to neighbouring countries to find safety from repression. His other songs include ‘Libey midrebeda’ (‘My heart is barren’). ‘Ti’ neber nera’ (she was living), ‘Toblah’ta’ (impression) and ‘Ayfalkin Gherhinetey’ (Your wrong, my innocence).

Osman joined and played with several bands, including Rocket band 1966, Red Sea band in 1967 and Venus band, until he left Eritrea in 1974.

Osman joined the struggle for the Eritrean War of Independence following the deposition of Haile Selassie in 1974, where he continued to sing revolutionary and patriotic songs When Eritrea become independent, Osman returned to Eritrea and continued his career between 1991 and 1998. In 2001, Osman moved to Sweden with his wife, where he continues to tour his music.