Ian Birrell

Award-winning columnist and foreign reporter. Contributing editor of The Mail on Sunday and weekly columnist in the 'i' paper. Writes regularly for many other papers, platforms and magazines. Frequent broadcaster and speaker at events. Co-founder wth Damon Albarn of the Africa Express music project and executive producer of 4 albums...Read more

Twitter: @ianbirrell

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Amadou & Mariam

Music is vital to political struggle across Africa – not just in Mali

Published in The Observer (27th January, 2013) At dinner last month after a concert by the Congolese rapper Baloji, I... Read Full Article

We must stop treating world-class artists with such routine contempt

Published in The Observer (July 10th, 2011) Idrissa Soumaoro should have been rehearsing with the celebrated Malian musicians Amadou &... Read Full Article

Music from the heart of the Congo

Published in The Independent (February 29th, 2008) The tiny stage was packed as a heavy, dancehall rhythm rumbled out into... Read Full Article

Journey into the beating heart of Africa

Published in The Independent (October 13th, 2006) We ducked into a covered alleyway, where two elderly men with grizzled beards,... Read Full Article

Songs of freedom

Published in The Independent (January 18th, 2004) The full moon was bathing the Saharan dunes in light as a middle... Read Full Article