Scattered across continents, the members of Sudanese band Aswat Almadina cling to their music as a lifeline and a beacon for peace in a nation torn apart by conflict. Known as "Sounds of the City," the band once drew inspiration from the vibrant streets of Khartoum, but now creates from exile, their melodies a defiant response to the devastation back home.
"The sounds of the weapons were loud, but there was always music going on," says co-founder Ibrahem Mahmoud, reflecting on the early days of the war. "Music is my survival mechanism—it's always saving my life."
Founded in 2014, Aswat Almadina blended Middle Eastern folk, urban pop, and jazz into a sound that captured the spirit of Khartoum. Their lyrics, which tackled social justice and corruption, resonated deeply, earning them a devoted following and recognition as UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors. Ibrahem, who was repeatedly arrested for his politically charged songs before the 2019 uprising, sees music as inseparable from activism.
When war erupted in April 2023, the band was recording in a Khartoum studio. "It was a confusing moment. We didn't know what was going on," Ibrahem recalls. Despite the gunfire echoing outside, he wrote and recorded "Give Peace A Chance," struggling to share files over a flickering internet connection amid shelling.
Today, the band's members are dispersed—Ibrahem in Saudi Arabia, co-founder Timon (Mohammed Almustafa) in Cairo, and others elsewhere. Timon, who fled Khartoum after witnessing scenes "like something out of a zombie movie," missed the birth of his second child during his journey to safety. Yet, their connection endures through remote collaboration on a new song, "Sudan," set for release this April.
"Being part of this band is a dream come true for us," Timon says. "There's always hope. I want everyone to speak about peace and love. That's what will make things better."
With over 150,000 dead and 12 million displaced in what the UN calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis, Aswat Almadina's music has become a symbol of resilience. They hold onto the dream of reuniting in Khartoum, where their sounds once echoed through a city now in ruins. For now, their melodies travel across borders, carrying a message of hope to a nation yearning for peace.