Iman Ahmed's Debut Novel 'Abdallah Superstar' Electrifies Djibouti's Musical History
Franco-Djiboutian author Iman Ahmed has published her debut novel, 'Abdallah Superstar' (Actes Sud, 2026), a fictionalized account of her father's hidden past as a music producer in 1990s Djibouti. After his death, Ahmed discovered a YouTube channel containing concert and studio recordings, revealing her father Galal's role in the country's electronic pop music scene. The book, which took six years to write, blends autobiography, fiction, and a quest for origins, exploring themes of grief, return, and the right of Djibouti to fiction. Ahmed, who grew up in Djibouti but later moved to France, was surprised to learn of her father's musical legacy, which he had kept secret after suffering a stroke. The novel also incorporates her father's camcorder, which she used to film locations and people, and features a kaleidoscopic, visual style. Published in August 2026, the 150-page book is part of the literary rentrée and has been featured on RFI's 'Invitée culture' podcast.
Key facts
- Iman Ahmed's debut novel 'Abdallah Superstar' is published by Actes Sud in 2026.
- The novel is based on Ahmed's discovery of her father's YouTube channel after his death.
- Her father, Galal, was a music producer in Djibouti in the 1990s.
- Ahmed spent two to three years investigating and three years writing the book.
- The book explores themes of grief, return, and obsession.
- Ahmed used her father's camcorder to film locations and people.
- The novel is 150 pages long.
- Ahmed is Franco-Djiboutian and grew up in Djibouti.
Entities
Artists
- Iman Ahmed
Institutions
- Actes Sud
- RFI
Locations
- Djibouti
- France
- Poitiers
- Marseille
- Paris