Bombino

One of the greatest guitar players in the Sahara and the Sahel, Bombino channeled rock and blues to create international renown for himself, as seen by the album Agadez, which debuted at the top of iTunes World Chart in April, 2011. Although born in Niger, the start of the Tuareg Rebellion forced Omar 'Bombino' Moktor and his family to flee to Algeria for safety until they returned to Niger seven years later. Breaking into his musical career during a time when music was seen as a form of rebellion, a second insurection caused two of Bombino's musicians to be executed and for Bombino to once again be exiled. However, once the conflict was over, Bombino returned to his native city of Agadez and performed in the concert that celebrated the beginning of a hard-earned peace.