Ilkacase Qays: The entertainer who took hip-hop to Somalia
For many years, the hip-hop culture has largely been associated with the West, particularly the United States, but Ilkacase Qays has taken the craft to Somalia.
For many years, the hip-hop culture has largely been associated with the West, particularly the United States.
However, the genre has gradually gained widespread acceptance in Somalia.
At the heart of its success, is Ilkacase Qays, who conducts the Somali hip-hop orchestra in a way few can.
His music videos on YouTube have gained tens of millions of views, a proof of his artistic muscle.
National pride
Ilkacase has been active in the Somali music scene for two decades, and he only gets better in his craft.
His fans know this best.
The rapper's music is often anchored in national pride, struggle for better living, and the need for a favourable international viewpoint, as Somalia emerges from the ruins of a longstanding civil conflict.
Ilkacase's real name is Mohamed Qeys Abdulkadir Dubow.
Family of entertainers
The musician, who is in his early 40s, was born in Somalia's southern state of Jubaland to a family of entertainers.
Most notably, his father was a poet.
It was the musician's parents who gave him the stage name Ilkacase.
During Ilkacase's childhood, his family moved to Kenya's capital, Nairobi.
Street freestyles
It was in Nairobi that he discovered his talent in hip-hop music.
From street freestyles, to well-composed rap music, Ilkacase knew he had something special.
The musician says in another life he would have been a journalist or a computer engineer.
But that dream is now resting deep in the world of music.
Moment of uncertainty
After his stay in Nairobi, he moved to the United States for mid-level education.
It was during his time in the US, the epicentre of hip-hop culture, that he refined his rap skills.
The hip-hop calling proved too strong for Ilkacase, resulting in him prematurely abandoning his childhood dream of becoming a computer engineer.
But after leaving the classroom, he faced a moment of uncertainty: was Somalia ready to embrace hip-hop?
An entertainer for all
He brushed off the sceptics, nonetheless, and faced his fears.
In 2005, he officially launched his career in hip-hop music, releasing the song titled "Maryaneey."
To him, music bridges disputes and differences, and defuses tensions of all kinds.
That is why he is on the record saying that he praises "every Somali clan", and entertains "all of them."
Major award
Though he currently resides in the United States, Ilkacase says his heart remains with Somalia, even after performing on big stages in Europe and America.
The artiste has three children with his former spouse, Nimo Abdi Gurey.
He remarried in 2021, exchanging wedding vows with Nimo Noor, alias Nimo Jookar.
Cementing his credentials as one of Somalia's iconic entertainers, Ilkacase was crowned the Most Distinguished Somali Artist of 2024.
Broad appeal
Ilkacase's recent song, titled "State of Abdi Kumade", became a TikTok sensation this year among young people familiar with the Somali language.
The song was initially framed around sub-clan identity, but its appeal grew wider, just like Ilkacase's influence.