Sudan Mourns Loss of Singer Kamal Keila

Sudanese singer Kamal Keila passed away on 2 January 2021 at the age of 73.

Known as the James Brown and Fela Kuti of Sudan, Keila has been active in Sudan’s music and jazz scene since the late 1960s, incorporating a wide range of influences from folk, soul, jazz, afro beat and funk music to his often political songs. He recorded both in Arabic and English.

For decades in Sudan, radio stations were not allowed to play label recordings on air; therefore, stations hosted live sessions for musicians. Artists rarely received copies of sessions they rarely received copies of the tapes; however, Keila managed to attain the studio reels of two, five-track performances from 1992.

In 2017, the Berlin-based label Habibi Funk launched a series showcasing little-known music from Sudan’s jazz scene, starting with the first ever re-release of Kamal Keila’s album Muslims and Christians. The album is a time capsule of Sudan’s history, and calls for peace between Muslims and Christians, and unity of the Sudanese people who, for decades, have been led apart by politics.

Popular English electronic music duo, Disclosure, sampled one of Kiela’s songs on 2018 single ‘Where You Come From’.

Keila harmoniously incorporated Eritrean, Ethiopian, Shilluk, Dinka, South Sudan and South Kordofan beats and melodies in his music, making his records multi-diverse and inclusive.

Many took to social media to mourn his loss, including Disclosure and Habibi Funk Records.

Rest in peace to the great Kamal Keila. Although we never met, we are forever grateful for how easy you & the team made the process of allowing us to use your voice on our song. Thank you for the unforgettable music. G & H 🎶 https://t.co/ys20ocOB92

— Disclosure (@disclosure) January 2, 2021

RIP KAMAL KEILA, 1930 – 2021: With great sadness we have learned that Kamal Keila passed away earlier on today. He was an icon of the Sudanese jazz scene, a musical visionary, a firm believer in the unity of his home country Sudan and a beautiful person. pic.twitter.com/rUg637iMX2

— Habibi Funk (@Habibi_Funk) January 2, 2021

Kamal Keila listening and singing along to one of his tracks (via Habibi Funk insta). RIP to the Sudanese jazz icon who passed away yesterday. pic.twitter.com/hOHTkgFETq

— notes on sudan (@notesonsudan) January 3, 2021

RIP Kamal Keila, one of Sudan’s greats. https://t.co/PNet3Sf7jP

— Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) January 2, 2021

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A post shared by Contemporary Art & Activism (@larissa_nour_fuhrmann)

‘Lemme tell you bout a girl I know..
Every time I come from Darfur- she comes knockin at my door.’

RIP Sudanese blues/jazz legend Kamal Keila https://t.co/oHKpiSOPK3

— Hana Baba (@radiohana) January 2, 2021

Kamal Keila – Sudanese Jazz Icon Dies leaving a powerful Legacy

Exemplary Sudanese jazz artist Kamal Keila has unfortunately passed on 2nd Jan 2021 at the age of 73. Originally a lawyer, he became a pioneer leading the Sudanese jazz scene with the creation of his band ‘Alafarqa’ pic.twitter.com/yucUxQ4LGV

— Counter_music (@counter_studios) January 3, 2021