A music producer on a trip to Djibouti to listen the national radio station’s music archive discovered some of the country’s best musicians jamming in a studio next door.
According to Ostinato Records’ Vik Sohonie, Groupe RTD, paid to perform the national anthem and appear at various state ceremonies, is one of East Africa’s best kept secrets.
He told BBC Newsday’s Lawrence Pollard that their music revealed the rich mix of culture influences in the Red Sea nation, including Bollywood, reggae and jazz.
According to Ostinato Records’ Vik Sohonie, Groupe RTD, paid to perform the national anthem and appear at various state ceremonies, is one of East Africa’s best kept secrets.
The national radio archive itself holds more than 5,000 reels of music – the entire catalogue of Djiboutian music on record – partly because the country’s recording industry is completely controlled by the government.
Listen to the full interview:
A recording of Groupe RTD’s music – an album called The Dancing Devils of Djibouti – is being released by Ostinato Records this month.