Les Filles de Illighadad, hailing from the remote village of Illighadad in Niger, are pioneers in blending traditional Tuareg music with contemporary sounds. Founded in 2016 by guitarist Fatou Seidi Ghali—one of the first Tuareg women to play the guitar professionally—and vocalist Alamnou Akrouni, the group later welcomed guitarist Amaria Hamadalher and rhythm guitarist Abdoulaye Madassane. Their music fuses the hypnotic rhythms of tende—a traditional form dominated by women, featuring drumming and chanting—with modern desert blues guitar, creating a mesmerizing and spiritual soundscape. Their live performances, including the acclaimed "At Pioneer Works" album recorded in Brooklyn, have captivated audiences worldwide, earning praise for their innovative approach to Tuareg folk music. ([newyorker.com](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-heavy-meditative-and-tender-music-of-les-filles-de-illighadad?utm_source=openai))