BOMBINO

Bombino, born Omara Moctar on January 1, 1980 in Tidene, Niger, is a Tuareg guitarist and singer known worldwide for his electrifying desert blues sound. Growing up during the Tuareg Rebellion, Bombino and his family fled to Algeria, where a visiting relative's abandoned guitar sparked his musical journey. The nickname "Bombino" (a variation on the Italian "bambino" meaning little child) was given to him by older musicians. His breakthrough album Agadez (2011) debuted at number one on the iTunes World Chart. His second international album Nomad (2013), produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, also hit number one on iTunes and Billboard World Charts. His 2018 album Deran was nominated for a Grammy for Best World Music Album, making Bombino the first artist from Niger to receive a Grammy nomination. His latest album Sahel (2024) continues his pioneering "Tuareggae" style—a blend of Tuareg blues/rock with reggae rhythms. Bombino sees his guitar not as a weapon but as a tool to help build the house of the Tuareg people.

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