El Wali (band)

El Wali is a Tuareg blues band from Niger. Formed in Niamey, Niger, in the early 2000s, El Wali (meaning "the Master" or "the Saint" in Arabic) plays a style of music closely related to the larger desert blues or Tuareg blues genre. Their music blends traditional Tuareg rhythms and melodies with modern instrumentation, particularly electric guitars, creating a sound that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in their cultural heritage.

The band sings primarily in Tamasheq, the language of the Tuareg people. Their lyrics often address themes of displacement, cultural identity, political injustice, and the challenges faced by the Tuareg people in the Sahara region. Like other prominent Tuareg bands, such as Tinariwen and Bombino, El Wali uses music as a vehicle for cultural preservation and social commentary.

While El Wali has toured internationally and gained a following among world music enthusiasts, they remain less widely known than some of their contemporaries in the Tuareg blues scene. However, they continue to be an important voice in the genre, contributing to its evolution and raising awareness of the Tuareg culture and experience.