Wednesday April 9, 2025
Somali artist Saalax Sanaag poses with his trophy after winning Best Somali Artist and Most Dedicated Performer in East Africa at the 2025 Africa Arts Entertainment Awards in Nairobi, Kenya. The annual ceremony celebrates outstanding contributions to music, culture, and performance across the continent. (Salaax Sanaag)
Nairobi (HOL) — Somali musician Saalah Abdirisaq Mohamed, widely known as Saalax Sanaag, was awarded Best Somali Artist and Most Dedicated Performer in East Africa at the 2025 Africa Arts Entertainment Awards in Nairobi, Kenya.
The awards, organized by the U.S.-based African Arts Entertainment Awards Foundation, recognize outstanding talent across the continent and the Caribbean. The annual event evaluates artists using a range of metrics, including YouTube viewership, social media engagement, and public sentiment gathered through comments, shares, and fan voting.
Saalax, who was among several artists from East Africa selected for recognition, said the honours marked a major milestone in his music career.
"This means the world to me. I've dreamed for years of representing Somali music on a continental level," he told the BBC in an interview following the ceremony. "This win shows that Somali music is gaining ground and that we as artists are being noticed across Africa."
He added that the awards were a personal victory and a broader reflection of Somali cultural growth and the impact of Somali artists on the international stage.
The award ceremony, held in Nairobi's capital, was attended by musicians, journalists, business leaders, comedians, and professionals from various industries across Africa and the Caribbean. "It was an elegant, well-organized evening," said Saalax. "Artists were at the center of the celebration."
Despite his success, Saalax said he does not see himself as more talented than his peers. Instead, he credited his win to strong support from Somali fans across the globe.
"The real credit goes to the Somali people," he said. "They voted for me, streamed my music, followed my work, and shared kind messages online. Their love and engagement made this possible."
Saalax added that a deep commitment to the Somali language and culture drives his music.
"I've always believed in my work. I sing because I love it and want to preserve and promote our language and traditions through music," he said.
He said that the awards motivate him to continue refining his craft and pursuing greater ambitions, including global recognition.
"This inspires me to aim even higher," Saalax said. "I want to improve my visuals, enhance my sound, and compete in even larger international forums. I want to continue being someone the Somali people can be proud of."
Still, he acknowledged Somali artists' challenges, particularly the lack of structural support and widespread recognition.
"One of our biggest challenges is that we often judge artists only by their local following—where they live or who they know," he said. "I encourage Somali artists to think globally. Compete internationally, sing in other languages, and ensure your talent reaches every corner."
The Africa Arts Entertainment Awards were established in 2015 by Cameroonian-American entrepreneur Dominic Tamin and a group of Pan-Africanists across Africa and the Caribbean. The foundation is headquartered in New Jersey and operates offices in over 10 countries.