The Nightingales, an all female band of three Sudanese sisters may be catching their big break in a world tour 45 years after they began singing.

Amal, Hadia, and Hayat Talsam -- known back in the day as the “Sudanese Supremes” -- began singing in Sudan in the 1970s.

When comparing themselves to the Supremes, well they don’t hold back on sass or play into any assumptions they might be shy and modest about their talent.

“Honey, we’re better than the Supremes,” Amal told the Guardian.

When the three sisters began their singing careers it was very controversial for girls and women to sing, let alone in public and unaccompanied, in Sudan. While it was a vibrant time for arts, culture, sports and music, Sudan was still quite socially conservative. Their father stood apart from many men by supporting their musical career.

“At that time it was hard for a woman to sing, so it was hard for a father to have young daughters singing,” Amal Talsam says in the video above.

The “girl band" sang until 1988 and then stepped back from the touring and the concert scene. But in 2007, they performed for a Sudanese festival in New York and now the world wants them back. They've been back to performing since.

A world tour isn’t out of the question for the Nightingales, even if it would come 45 years after they began their musical career.

“We want to travel the globe and offer our art to all the peoples of the world,” Amal proclaimed after a recent concert while chatting with press.

The Nightingales sing a blend of Sudanese pop and folk music.

“We could show a beautiful side of Sudan to the outside world,” said Hadia, the eldest of the sisters who began singing at 17 years old.

The Nightingales remind us that it’s never too old to pursue your dream and share your voice and passion with the world.

To listen to the Nightingales (aka Al Balabil as they’re known in Sudan) check out this video of the sisters performing back in the day. 

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Demand Equity

45 years later, this Sudanese girl band may get their world tour

By Meghan Werft