The song played on Abdi's radio in Black Hawk Down Dhibic Roob , performed by the Somali singer Omar Sharif Key Scene Details The Context
: This song is heard during the reconnaissance mission where Abdi (the Somali informant) is driving a car with a large black cross painted on its roof. The Moment : U.S. forces tracking him from helicopters tell him to "shut his radio off"
so he can hear their instructions more clearly. At that point, he is listening to "Dhibic Roob". Availability
: Notably, this specific track was not included in the official Hans Zimmer soundtrack album
. Because it is a vintage Somali recording, it is often considered rare or "lost media" by fans attempting to find a full-length version. Other Notable Songs in the Film
While Zimmer's score dominates the movie, other featured tracks include: "Barra Barra" by Rachid Taha (played early in the film). "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" by Jimi Hendrix (as the helicopters take off). "Gortoz A Ran"
by Denez Prigent and Lisa Gerrard (during the emotional aftermath scenes). "Minstrel Boy" by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros (closing credits). place to listen to this specific Somali track, or more info on the official soundtrack AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
[fully lost] song by Omar Sharif - Dhibic Roob : r/lostmedia
The song playing on the radio in Abdi's car in Black Hawk Down Dhibic Roob" , written and performed by the Somalian singer Omar Sharif Soundtrack INFO
In the scene, the character Abdi—a Somali informant working for the U.S. forces—is driving a taxi marked with a black cross on its roof to pinpoint a target's location. While he is undercover, he is told by a Somali official to shut his radio off, which is playing the song at the time. Soundtrack INFO Key Details about the Song Omar Sharif Track Title: "Dhibic Roob". black hawk down abdi radio song
It is a traditional Somalian track from the 1990s or earlier. Soundtrack Availability:
While listed in the film's official credits on platforms like not included on the official Black Hawk Down Motion Picture Soundtrack album produced by Hans Zimmer. Soundtrack INFO Other Notable Songs Often Confused with This Scene Because the Black Hawk Down
soundtrack features several prominent world music tracks, viewers often associate other songs with the Somali perspective in the film:
That's a fascinating and specific angle. The song you're referring to is almost certainly "Abdi" by the Somali singer K'naan (though K'naan was a child in Mogadishu during the time, the song is a later tribute). However, the track most famously associated with the Black Hawk Down incident in popular culture—and the one that soldiers reportedly heard broadcast over Somali radio—is a different, hauntingly upbeat song: "Waberi" by the group Waaberi (often mislabeled as "Waberi" or 'the Somali national anthem of the 1970s').
But focusing on your specific phrase: "the Abdi radio song" — let's build a compelling feature around the myth, the memory, and the misidentification of the music of the Battle of Mogadishu.
Here is an outline and excerpt for that feature, titled:
Here is the tragic reality for collectors. While we know what the song is, actually listening to it is a nightmare.
Faadumo Qaasim’s catalog has never been digitized properly. Her music exists on brittle, magnetic tapes in the basements of private collectors in Mogadishu, Djibouti, and London. The civil war in Somalia (which began shortly after the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu) destroyed most of the national radio archives.
There is no official upload on YouTube. There is no Spotify link. The only circulating copies are low-generation dubs of the original film’s M&E track, often muddied by the sound of gunfire. The song played on Abdi's radio in Black
If you search for "Wanaag Casbah Black Hawk Down" today, you will find:
The song is, ironically, a ghost. Just like the static on Abdi’s radio, it flickers in and out of existence.
The song is "Gargar" by Abdullahi Kershi, a legendary figure in Somali music. Kershi was known for his unique blend of traditional Somali melodies with modern instrumentation, often utilizing synthesizers to create a sound that was both nostalgic and contemporary.
The track is a prime example of Somali "Qaraami" or "Balwo" styles—forms of urban Somali music that became incredibly popular in the 1970s and 80s. In the context of the film, set in 1993, the song fits the era perfectly, grounding the setting in the specific cultural reality of Mogadishu before the civil war fully decimated its artistic infrastructure.
Somalia, Somalia, Somalia, Somalia, It is agreed upon, It is agreed upon, It is agreed upon, Between his brother and his uncle, It is agreed upon, Oh Somalia, Somalia, Somalia, Somalia.
Under the tree, It is agreed upon, It is agreed upon, Between his brother and his uncle, It is agreed upon, Oh Somalia, Somalia, Somalia, Somalia.
The Arabs and, The non-Arabs (foreigners), It is agreed upon...
Contextual Note: The lyrics are patriotic, speaking of unity and agreement among Somali clans and people ("between his brother and his uncle" implies family/kinship unity). The phrase Waa lagu wadaa roughly translates to "It is agreed upon" or "There is consensus," reflecting a desire for unity. The irony in the film is that the song plays while the country is in a state of civil war and fragmentation.
The song playing on Abdi's radio in Black Hawk Down is "Dhibic Roob" (also known as "Ul Iyo Dirkeed"), performed by the Somali singer Omar Sharif. This track is featured during a critical tension-building scene where the informant Abdi drives a vehicle marked with a black cross to pinpoint the target building for U.S. forces. The Role of "Dhibic Roob" in the Film A 30-second loop extracted from the DVD
While Hans Zimmer’s award-winning score is primarily known for atmospheric tracks like "Leave No Man Behind" or "Gortoz a Ran," "Dhibic Roob" provides a rare moment of cultural immersion.
The Scene: As Abdi approaches the Bakara Market, his radio is playing this Somali song. When he stops near the target location, he is famously told to "turn the radio off" by the command center to avoid drawing further attention.
Narrative Impact: The music serves as a diegetic element—sound that exists within the world of the movie—grounding the high-tech military operation in the local reality of Mogadishu. Search for the "Lost" Track
Despite its prominence in a key scene, "Dhibic Roob" has become something of a mystery for fans:
Soundtrack Absence: The song was not included in the official Black Hawk Down Soundtrack CD, which focused on Hans Zimmer’s compositions and licensed tracks like Rachid Taha’s "Barra Barra".
Lost Media Status: Full versions of the song are notoriously difficult to find. Many community members on Reddit and AnandTech have spent years searching for high-quality recordings, as Omar Sharif’s work from that era (pre-1990s) was rarely archived digitally.
Alternative Credits: On IMDb, the song is sometimes credited as "Ul Iyo Dirkeed," written and performed by Omar Sharif. Key Tracks in the Movie
For those looking for the other iconic sounds of the film, here are the major credits:
[fully lost] song by Omar Sharif - Dhibic Roob : r/lostmedia
For the dedicated fan, there are three ways to experience the "Abdi radio song" in its purest form: