Leading Sudanese singer, composer, and scholar Dr Abdelgader Salem passed away on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at the age of 79, following an undisclosed illness.
The burial will take place in Hamad Al Neel in Omdurman.
The late artist is considered one of the pillars of Sudanese music and one of the most prominent symbols of authentic Sudanese song. Through his voice, compositions, and body of work, he enriched the artistic scene for decades and earned the respect and appreciation of artistic circles and audiences both inside Sudan and abroad.
Born in 1946, Salem is from Dilling, South Kordofan. Trained at the Higher Institute of Music and Theatre and later earning a master’s and PhD in Sudanese musical heritage, he combined academic research with a distinguished artistic career. A pioneer in bringing Kordofan’s folk traditions into contemporary Sudanese music, he recorded over 40 radio songs, produced influential albums blending local rhythms with global styles, and represented Sudan internationally from the 1980s. Widely honoured for his contributions, he is remembered as a cultural bridge-builder whose work championed authenticity, innovation, peace, and the voices of Sudan’s margins.
Among his most notable solo works that resonated deeply with the popular consciousness are “Maqtool Hawak Ya Kordofan” (Killed by Your Love, O Kordofan), “Omri Ma Bansa” (I Will Never Forget), “Jafani,” “Bassama,” and “Al-Maryoud.” He played a prominent role in introducing Sudanese music to international audiences and participated in several music festivals across Europe beginning in 1984.
He contributed to international projects such as the albums “Sounds of Sudan” and “Stars of the Night.” He also presented distinctive musical experiments, including the album,“Kings of the Mardoum Play Love Songs,” in which he introduced the Kordofani Mardoum rhythm in a modern format, and the album “Le Blues de Khartoum” (1999), where he fused Western blues with authentic Sudanese melodies. He also took part in the “Ceasefire” project, which carried messages of peace and coexistence.
Salem received wide acclaim for his artistic and academic career and was honoured with several awards, most notably the Silver Medal of Sciences and Arts in 1976 and the State Incentive Award in 1983.
A number of artists, intellectuals, and members of the public have mourned his passing, recalling his national stances, noble character, and major contributions to serving Sudanese art and culture.
برحيل د.عبد القادر سالم، يفقد الفن السوداني أحد أهم أعمدته بعد مسيرة حافلة بالإبداع والعطاء.
— رفيدة ياسين (@Rofaidayassin) December 16, 2025
فقدنا ملك إيقاعات المردوم والنقارة والتم تم، وسيفتقدك ليمون بارا وكل حليوة بسّامة، كما سيطراك هوى كردفان.
وكما غنى يا خيا الدنيا دي معدودة أياما.
اللهم ارحمه واغفر له وتقبله قبولا حسنا🙏 pic.twitter.com/J6exegU1cv
⭕️ انتقل إلى رحمة الله الفنان و الموسيقار عبد القادر سالم، إثر علة مرضية في مدينة أمدرمان ..
— درويش ®️ (@Derwish249) December 16, 2025
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون له الرحمة والمغفرة.. pic.twitter.com/Q4Slub0hSO
فى ذمة الله، الفنان الدكتور / عبد القادر سالم الذى ساهم بنشر التراث الكردفانى عبر تطوير للموسيقى المحلية و من خلال مشاركاته فى المهرجانات المحلية و العالمية.
— أنقذوا السودان Save Sudan 🇸🇩 (@blackboy) December 16, 2025
تغمده الله بواسع رحمته و أسكنه فسيح جناته. pic.twitter.com/mQHGHkPFka
🔴وفاة الفنان السوداني الكبير عبد القادر سالم
— هاشتاق السودان 🇸🇩 (@hashsudan) December 16, 2025
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون pic.twitter.com/nFtccboJrb
مجلس إدارة نادي الهلال يحتسب الفنان الكبير/ عبد القادر سالم ⚫️⚪️#The_most_decorated_club_in_Sudan#النادي_الأكثر_تتويجاً_بالبطولات_في_السودان pic.twitter.com/EF4cjTnnAW
— نادي الهلال للتربية – Alhilal S.C (@alhilalsc1930) December 16, 2025
