THE PRESS RELEASE: “Hama is an electronic musician based in Niamey, Niger. His instrumental compositions take familiar Nigerien folk music transposed through synthesizer. Heavily influenced by ’90s hip-hop and techno, Hama’s unique sound is known throughout the country.
In 2015, we reissued Torodi, compiled from his signature Arabic synthesizer (unfortunately since destroyed in a house fire). In 2019, Hama created the multilayered Houmeissa, with arrangements in FruityLoops and Reason. For this WhatsApp entry he returns to live recordings with a late-night performance at home with a newly acquired synthesizer.
For the year of 2020, Sahel Sounds presents Music from Saharan WhatsApp. Every month, we’ll be releasing an EP from a musical group in the Sahel. Every album will be recorded on a cellphone, transmitted over WhatsApp, and uploaded to Bandcamp, where it will live for one month only. Available for pay as you want, 100% of the sales will go directly to the artist or group. After one month, the album will be replaced by another one, until the end of the year.”
