Exhibition and performance spotlight nation’s cultural export
Music, in its infinite forms, holds a rare power: to stir emotion, transcend language, and connect people across borders and generations. Whether echoing in moments of joy or solitude, it uplifts spirits, rekindles memories, and offers a balm for the human condition. Its capacity to entertain, heal, and inspire is unmatched.
Musicians and neuroscientists alike have long recognized this resonance—not just as entertainment but as a profound force affecting emotional, cognitive, and even physical well-being.
That enduring emotional force was on full display last week at the Swedish Residence in Addis Ababa, which transformed into a lively cultural salon for an evening of music and dialogue. The event, organized by Selam Ethiopia in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden, underscored music’s ability to forge connections across continents.
At the center of the celebration was the launch of Swedish Music Moments, an exhibition showcasing Sweden’s outsized role in shaping global pop culture. The exhibit traces the Nordic country’s unlikely rise as a music powerhouse—from ABBA to Avicii—and explores the cultural, historical, and technological innovations behind its influence.
The evening also featured a powerful performance by Swedish–Somali singer-songwriter Cherrie, whose sound—a fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and socially conscious storytelling—reflects her diasporic roots and contemporary struggles.
Born Shiriihan Mohamed Abdulle in Oslo in 1991, Cherrie spent her early years in Finland before settling in the Stockholm suburb of Rinkeby at age ten. Her music draws deeply from both her Somali heritage and Scandinavian upbringing, addressing themes of identity, migration, and resilience among marginalized youth.
“I’ve been singing since I could speak,” Cherrie said. “I tried to resist it, but music became my destiny. Being a Black, Muslim woman in a white world is difficult—but I’ve used music as a vessel to transform my life.”
Since launching her professional career at 23, Cherrie has released several critically acclaimed albums and collaborated with global artists such as Stormzy and Kehlani, earning a growing international following.
Organizers emphasized Sweden’s role as one of the world’s top music exporters. Since the 1990s, Swedish producers and songwriters have helped craft some of the biggest hits on the US Billboard charts, solidifying the country’s reputation as a quiet giant in global pop.
“Sweden has become one of the world’s most significant contributors to the international music industry,” said Hans Henric Lundquist, Sweden’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti and Permanent Representative to the African Union, IGAD, and UNECA. “Despite our small size and northern location, music has become a major player in the international pop music market.”
The ambassador described the Swedish Music Moments exhibition as an opportunity to reflect on the country’s storied musical journey and the cultural legacy it continues to build. “Sweden’s musical heritage and achievements are truly remarkable,” he said.
Cherrie, too, emphasized the deep-rooted presence of music in Swedish society. Despite its modest population, she said, Sweden ranks among the world’s top three music exporters—a distinction few might expect from a country of just 10 million. Swedish producers, she noted, have helped craft hits for artists such as Britney Spears, Adele, and The Weekend.
“The country’s musical legacy stretches from Scandipop—pioneered by ABBA—to the global rise of EDM through acts like Avicii and Swedish House Mafia,” Cherrie said. “And now, with a surge in Swedish hip-hop and R&B, we’re seeing local voices break international barriers. She believesthat the recent surge in Swedish hip-hop and R&B—where local artists are achieving international success—demonstrates the strength and innovation of the Swedish music industry.
“Sweden has always been a big musical hub—but a quiet one. That silence gives you space to create.”
For Cherrie, that space was more than artistic—it was personal. Growing up in Sweden as the child of Somali immigrants, she experienced the cultural dissonance often felt by second- and third-generation youth: a tug-of-war between heritage and assimilation. She spoke candidly about how identity struggles, and the mental health challenges they can bring, shaped her music and her message.
“I didn’t start making music because I wanted to be famous,” she said. “It came from a need to speak on what was happening around me. Sweden gave me the stage, and I took it.”
She contrasted the generational stability of ethnically Swedish families with the precarious sense of belonging often felt by immigrant communities, suggesting that this tension not only shaped her worldview but also gave urgency and authenticity to her work.
Written profiles accompanying the exhibition reinforced Sweden’s stature in the global music arena. The country has built a reputation on melody-rich pop, as exemplified by ABBA, the iconic group formed in Stockholm in 1972. But its contributions extend far beyond catchy choruses.
Sweden is also a pioneer in music technology. Home to platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud, and a breeding ground for audio innovation, the country has become a launchpad for music tech startups that continue to reshape how the world listens.
Though best known for its pop exports, Sweden has also made notable inroads in genres like heavy metal and EDM. Swedish artists and producers have played central roles in defining the sound and direction of these movements, further cementing the country’s influence across the global musical spectrum.
At a time when political borders tighten and cultural rifts widen, the evening served as a melodic reminder: music is still one of the few forces that can unite us all.
