ISIRKA

S7EP3. Some songs have a way of transporting you back to a place, a moment, or a feeling. For me, Sahra Ahmed Jama’s music always brings me back to Hargeisa. Sahra is my favorite Somali artist, and my love for her and her music runs deep. There’s something about the tenderness of her voice, the slower melodies, and the emotions she carried through her songs that evokes a particular kind of nostalgia. In this ISIRKA music mix, we slow things down and sit with some of my favorite songs of hers. Music that reminds me of quiet evenings in Hargeisa, the city's rhythm, and the memories that linger long after you leave. This is a personal tribute to an artist I love dearly, the late, great Sahra Ahmed Jama, whose voice continues to carry us across time and place. ❤️🎶

S7EP2. The Longevity of Ilkacase Qays Recap. For over two decades, Ilkacase Qays has carved out a space for himself in Somali music, evolving alongside the culture while remaining true to his artistry. From his early days in Somali hip-hop to his continued influence on audiences across the diaspora, his career speaks to the power of reinvention, consistency, and cultural connection. In this episode, I revisit my writing on Ilkacase Qays and reflect on his longevity, his contributions to Somali music, and the ways his work has resonated with different generations of listeners. We also talk about what it means to build a legacy in an industry that is constantly changing. Continue exploring Ilkacase Qays through ISIRKA: 📰 Geeska: Ilkacase Qays and the New Language of Somali Love | https://www.geeska.com/en/ilkacase-qays-and-new-language-somali-love ✍🏾 Substack: Isku Dhiig Baan Nahay — Ilkacase Qays | https://aminaisir.substack.com/p/isku-dhiig-baan-nahay-ilkacase-qays?utm_source=publication-search 🎶 ISIRKA Music Mix: For the Music — Ilkacase Qays | https://isirka.simplecast.com/episodes/s5ep13-ilkacase-music-mix-0rBRk_9r

S7EP1. Saalax Sanaag Sings Us Home NarrationWhat does it mean to be an artist of your people?In this episode of ISIRKA, I narrate my Geeska essay, Saalax Sanaag Sings Us Home, exploring Saalax’s music, his commitment to Somalinimo, and the role Somali artists have long played as storytellers, witnesses, and keepers of memory.From songs of unity to love, friendship, and heartbreak, Saalax’s music keeps returning to one idea: we belong to one another.For the article: https://www.geeska.com/en/saalax-sanaag-sings-us-homeFor my Saalax Sanaag Music Mix: https://isirka.simplecast.com/episodes/s5ep6-ragga-dambe-salaax-sanaag

S6EP5. This episode is the second installment of my YouTube conversations, with Samiya Hashi of Somaliland Tourists- you can watch this episode on YouTube @isirkapodcast. We discussed the way the return home allowed us an ability to connect with our foremothers and live according to their advice and example. Samiya has been living in Hargeisa with her foremothers for the past few years and shared the realities of living in a female only household admist a male dominated society. We of course took the conversation to discuss music as well and the overall learnings from being in the motherland. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts and join us in this reflection on belonging, womanhood, and the beauty of being rooted in your people.

S6EP6. In this final episode of my Hargeisa subseries, I take you on a personal sonic journey through Hargeisa — the city that feels like rhythm, memory, and movement all at once. These are the songs that remind me of long drives through the city, of laughter in courtyards, and of quiet moments watching the sunset fade behind the hills. Each track carries a story: of belonging, of rediscovery, of what it means to feel at home in a place that still surprises me. From timeless Somali classics to the songs that filled my playlists during late night rides — this is my soundtrack to the city that continues to shape my heart and my work. Join me as we listen, reminisce, and explore what Hargeisa sounds like to me.

S6EP3. A celebration of resilience, rhythm, and roots. This curated soundtrack is a tribute to the soul of Hargeisa — a city of poets, storytellers, and survivors. From nostalgic Somali classics to contemporary tracks that echo the city's evolving spirit, Sounds of Hargeisa blends traditional melodies with modern vibes. Each song reflects a different shade of the city's culture: its warmth, its hustle, its hope, and its history. Whether you're walking its dusty roads or dreaming of its skyline from afar, these songs bring Hargeisa to life — one beat at a time.

S6EP1. This episode is the first of Season 6:Hargeisa Homecoming. In this introductory episode I share a little about what my Hargiesa trip was like. This was such an enriching and fulfilling trip and I've thoroughly enjoyed all the different learning lessons of this summer. This season will shed light on my personal experiences and reflections and I'm really giving Hargeisa its time. Whether you've been to Hargeisa or are just curious about the heartbeat of Somaliland, this episode sets the tone for a season rooted in reflection, reconnection, and rediscovery. Join me as we begin this new chapter — one filled with stories of place, belonging, and the ties that shape us.

S5EP13. We’re closing out Season 5: For the Music with none other than the King of Summer 2025—Ilkacase Qays. I began the summer with a written piece about him on my Substack (aminaisir.substack.com), and it feels only right to end the season with this music mix, a sonic journey through his discography. Often celebrated as the King of Somali rap, Ilkacase’s artistry stretches far beyond his sharp verses and anthems. In this mix, I’m spotlighting his softer side—the love songs that earned him the name Qays. That title wasn’t given in vain. Across his career, Ilkacase has given us timeless ballads that blend vulnerability with swagger, making his catalogue just as much about love and longing as it is about energy and grit. This episode is a celebration of his range: from the romantic tracks that tug at the heart to the unforgettable banger that made this summer his. So press play, enjoy the mix, and let’s honor Ilkacase Qays as he closes out this season of the podcast: for the Music. For a full track list: 2:58- Nafaqayso 3:22- Baarka Sare ft. Ahmed Jabiye 4:20- Somali Baan Ahay ft. Ahmed Jabiye 5:28- Idaadahee ft. Iqra Yare 9:08- Ayaan Dhalad 12:48- Billion Dhan ft. Mohamed Biibshe 15:05- Queen Huda 15:45- Axdi ft. Kiin Jaamac 18:11- Gabdhahenow Xaalqaata ft. Ahmed Jabiye 20:50- Geenyadii Maalin Guur 23:23- Jacayl Qabya Tiran 25:31- Lamataabtaan 27:18- Miro Dhadhan Macaan ft. Kiin Jaamac 30:04- Kaalay Nafta Maamulo ft. Katriina 32:34- Iska Iloow 35:33- Dahab Lamoodyey 36:03- Sacabka ii Tuma 36:59- State of Abdi Kumade

S5EP12. In this episode, I talk to Dr. Christina Woolner, the author of Love Songs in Motion: Voicing Intimacy in Somaliland, to explore the deep cultural significance of Somali love songs. Together, we unpack the ways music, poetry, and performance shape expressions of intimacy, identity, and social connection in Somaliland. Dr. Woolner shares her research journey, weaving in stories about the lives and voices behind these songs, and how they reflect shifting notions of love, gender, and belonging in Somali society. We recorded this conversation after we had a conversation about her book during London Somali Week Festival. Join us for an engaging conversation that blends scholarship, storytelling, and a shared passion for Somali cultural expression.

S5EP11. This episode is a music mix highlighting the singers that were apart of this year's London Somali Week Festival. You know I love the music and I truly enjoyed the singers that were apart of this year's festival. For a full track list: 5:07- "Biyo Dhacay"- Nimco Yasiin 8:29- "Bal Soo Orad" - Dalmar Yare 11:11- "Saameyn"- Hanad Bandz 13:34- Ashqaraar- Farxiya Fiska & Fuad Cadde 17:09- An Anniversary song for Hereri and his wife- Sir Mahamoud Omar 19:10- "Calaf"- Yurub Geenyo & Șir Mahamoud Omar 23:21- "Ma Iloobi"- Hanad Bandz 25:44- "Ku Siyaay Nafta"- Najma Nashaad 29:50- "Hablaha"- Safwan Halac 32:41- "Adoo Qalanja Ah"- Dalmar Yare 34:43- "Macankii Dunida"- Nimco Yasiin