The singing diva, Abby Lakew

By TIBEBESELASSIE TIGABU/The Reporter



Born in Gondar, Abby Lakew, is a rising singer/actress who caught the attention of many Ethiopians through a single concert that took place three years ago. She left Ethiopia for the U.S at the age of 13.She returned as a stranger to Ethiopian music lovers in 2008. But she quickly acquired followers in Ethiopia with the release of her single “Man Ale.” The single was well received and was in heavy rotation at radio and TV stations.

She says her first single, which featured both English and Amharic songs, was a reflection of her two identities - Ethiopian and American.

She has once again returned to her homeland to perform at a concert alongside Kevin Lyttle on July 23rd as well as to attend the premier of her first film“Wodemetahubet”. She caught up with The Reporter to discuss her artistic journey.

Her first concert here opened a new door for her - acting - which is also one of her passions.

After witnessing her first concert, producer Getachew Debalke , approached her and offered her 150,000 birr,(the highest ever for an actor here in Ethiopia), to play the leading role in “Wodemetahubet.” She accepted the role after reading the script.
“I always wanted to make a film and I liked this specific script…I don’t think the payment is that much but I am lucky to be the first to be payed this much. I hope in the future actors here will be payed more than this,” states Abby.

She says she loved the character and the locations in which the movie was shot, locations such as her birth place (Gondar), Bahirdar and Addis Ababa.
When asked about her character in the film she said she did not want to reveal too much about the film.

The movie, which will be released today, is just the start for the multitalented artist who promises that there will be more in-store. “This is only the beginning.”
Her love for music started at young age though it never crossed her mind to pursue it as a career. “Music is everything for me, it’s like my best friend,” says Abby.
She was part of a music choir when she was in high school but she got bored of it.  After high school she took music lessons. Her music arranger brother, Million Lakew, was the reason she became involved in music. She started jamming with her brother at the same time she was making a living that even included a stint as a makeup artist.
By the time she released her debut album ‘Man Ale’ things started to change and she started to get numerous requests to perform in different states for various occasions. This album was her break and she started touring and travelling. She does around 15-20 tours per year.

She cherishes every single show she had but her Greece performance two years ago was one of a kind and exceptional. Even if it happened a while back she remembers some moments vividly like they happened yesterday.

“What was special about this concert is the fact that the majority of the audience were non-Ethiopians. I was excited to see these people recognizing my music,” Abby reminisces.

Another show that stands out for Abby was her first concert three-years ago in Ethiopia that was held with the aim of supporting patients with cardiovascular complications.

“To be honest I never have expectations. I never assume anything about the turn up for any of my concerts or how they will turn out. It’s like gambling, at the end everything becomes clear,” explains Abby.

Abby, who labels herself “a good role model”, sometimes writes her own lyrics. In case someone wants to provide her with lyrics, they have to meet a certain condition: they have to be about love.

“For me love is the main thing and it has been like that for as long as I can remember. Music should be able to preach that. I am a person who doesn’t hold on to bad memories, I just move on and focus on the positive things life has to offer,” says Abby.

Even though growing up in the U.S was challenging says she has moved on and she is detached from those memories.

“Coming from Ethiopia and growing up in the States is never easy for anyone,” says Abby.

She reminisces about how she was bullied by other students at school because of where she came from. Being the only black girl in the school for some years meant she faced racial discrimination. Things began to change when she joined high school partly because she was now around fellow Ethiopians.

She accepted the hardships that she had to endure and says that it can happen to anyone. “No hard feelings” are the three words she uses to explain her sentiments about the past.

Despite the racism she was subjected to, she was very active in her extracurricular activities; she joined the school volleyball team and later her high school choir.
“It bothered me at the moment even though I don’t recall it right away. My family saved me from that and they are always beside me,” says Abby.

She doesn’t want to include racial discrimination issues or her past encounters in her songs. Love is the only message she want to pass. “Music should be about one and only one thing and that is love.”

Though she sings in two languages she prefers to sing in Amharic.
“There are many artists who sing in English and anyone who wants English songs can listen to them. For me, I want to sing in Amharic for the Ethiopian community who live in the US and who don’t know Amharic, they can use my music to learn our language,” explains Abby.

Even though she has been a full time musician for the past couple of years she was only able to release one album.

She says that it was due to the fact that she was caught up with a busy touring schedule. She finally decided to take a break from touring, which allowed her to finish a brand new 12-track album that will be released soon.

For a long time she wanted to collaborate with the late Ethiopian artist, Yirga Dubale, but he tragically passed away before she had a chance to approach him

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Court awarded Mikaya Behailu 100,000 birr
By Mikias Sebsibe

Mikaya Behailu, a prominent songwriter and performer, was awarded 100,000 birr as a compensation for moral damage last week after the Eighth Civil Bench of Federal High Court found Nahom Records Inc liable for copyright infringement in relation to two of the performer’s songs.

Mikaya released her first album entitled Shemametew containing eleven tracks after striking a 250,000 birr record deal with Nahom Records Inc four years ago. A year prior to the record deal, the demo of two of the songs (Sebebu and Lemalemih) included in this album, were sent to the record company. However, the record company in its September 2007 production of Balageru Vol 3, incorporated the two songs, which were written and performed by Mikaya.

Following this, Mikaya filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in June 2008 claiming that the record company incorporated these songs in the Balageru Vol 3 album without obtaining her consent. The songs are low in quality in terms of performance, composition and standard compared to the ones which were included in the performer’s first album released almost a year before, Mikaya alleged in her statement of claim. The substandard reproduction of the songs, which were originally sent as a demo to the record company, also puts a damper on the reputation of the performer, the plaintiff argued.

Mikaya, who demanded a compensation of 250,000 birr as a moral damage from Nahom Records PLC, also claimed a payment of 50,000 birr as a compensation for an economic right over her work. The record company, which is primarily based in the US, however, contested the court’s jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter. Nahom Records also argued it had an exclusive economic right over the works.  

The civil bench, presided over by Judge Muluken Teshale, which assumed jurisdiction on the basis of the nationality of the author, found the record company liable for violating the author’s rights when it reproduced the songs. Although the company owns the economic right for the author’s first album, it was not entitled to include the demo in the Balageru Vol 3 album released almost a year later, the Judge maintained.  

The court, which rejected Mikaya’s claim for 50,000 birr economic right over the work for lack of corroborating evidence, awarded the plaintiff 100,000 birr, the minimum amount for moral damage in the law, taking into consideration the fact that the songs were already in the public domain by the time they were reproduced.

The court also barred the record company from reproducing and distributing the songs in its Balageru Vol 3 album.    

“Although it was a long process, the company was found guilty of violations of copyright laws and I am compensated for it,” Mikaya told The Reporter. “We are satisfied with the decision,” Mikaya’s lawyer, Ameha Bedilu, added.

It was the second time for the civil bench to deliver the same ruling on the matter, the first being a decision rendered in the absence of the defendant. When the plaintiff (Mikaya) instituted an execution proceeding after the first ruling, Nahom Records Inc. appealed to the court that it was not properly summoned to the suit and opted for retrial, which the court accepted.

“We are currently reviewing the decision of the court and considering our options,” Hasabe Molla, lawyer of the record company, told The Reporter. “We have not yet arrived at a decision as to our next move.”

JOHNNY RAGGA AND JOSSY GEBRE highlight ‘Style of the Year’ in Dubai
 By Tibebeselassie Tigabu

With the aim of changing the negative attitude towards Ethiopian women living in the Middle East, a hairstyle show entitled ‘Style of the Year’ was held in Dubai on November 5th.

Featuring two Ethiopian artists, Yohannes Bekele, a.k.a, Johnny Ragga and Yoseph Gebre (Jossy), the event offered a style and musical performance for fans that reside abroad.

Organized by Fugees Promotion, the show was held at Palm Hotel in Dubai where around 20 hair dressers presented their unique styles. Most of the styles showed Ethiopian hair sported by women from different parts of the country with outfits from the regions.

Apart from creating awareness, the show also aimed at bringing markets for hair salons and also introduced the Ethiopian hair stylists to the markets.

As Frew Girma, the General Manager of Fugees Promotion said, Johnny Ragga, who performed in Dubai a couple of times prior to the show on November, is adored not only by the Ethiopian community but also by the club goers of different nationalities.

Accompanied by a band named Lucy, Johnny Ragga and Jossy dazzled the night with contemporary beats and unique moves.

Often Ethiopian women migrate to the Middle East countries like the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Kuwait looking for a better future or to escape from the depravation. However, they frequently face harsh and horrific conditions.

Passing through destitution, many Ethiopian immigrants are forced to work in fields they did not choose. Despite the challenges they face some, however, are able to own businesses and make it through the hardship. Part of the show’s aim is to celebrate their achievements.

“In Ethiopia we only hear the negative things, which are at times exaggerated. I am not denying the fact that there is prostitution among the community but we shouldn’t forget also the people who made it starting from scratch,” the general manager added. “We want to balance the information that is passed.”

After the show in Dubai, the singers went to Abu Dhabi for a less popular reception compared to Dubai. The organizer said that this was partly due to conflicts with the management of the club who didn’t want to see young singers in the place.

“Previously in this club renowned and senior singers performed and they wanted to keep that trend going. But after watching the young talents’ performance, they might change their mind for the future,” reveals Frew.

As Frew, who usually takes different artists to Dubai, explains he has plans to take Zeritu Kebede and Eyob Mekonnen to the Middle East in the near future.

Gigi Sings Hope Songs for Ethiopia -- With Hopes for a Homecoming
by Steve Hochman

Don't book your flights quite yet. But if you're a world music fan (and given that you're reading this, you probably are), there may be something happening in early January that you'd want to see.

Of course, if it happens it will be in Addis Ababa. The singer known as Gigi is trying to make plans to return to her native Ethiopia (where she was born as Ejigayehu Shibabaw) for the first time since she left in 1997, hoping to play a concert in the capital on Jan. 7 – the Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas.

When she left, she was just an aspiring performer. But after settling in the US – first in San Francisco and later New York – she became a sensation in world music and beyond, endorsed and encouraged by fellow Ethiopian expat Aster Aweke, signed by Chris Blackwell (the man who built Island Records and turned Bob Marley into a global icon) to his Palm Pictures label and produced by eclectic innovator/bassist Bill Laswell (who later became her husband). It's a rise that, she has been told, those at home followed with great interest. This would be the first time she'd gotten to perform for her Ethiopian fans.

"I really became famous after I got here," she says, talking from her Manhattan home. "I made one record there, but it came out after I got here. I'm not sure, but from what I've heard from people I have a huge following there. A lot of people know my records."

Whether you can go or not – whether she can go or not – you can get a taste of what it might be like, as Gigi has just released a live album, 'Mesgana Ethiopia,' her first in-concert collection and her first of any kind in more than four years. The band behind her sports international jazz and traditional music frontliners (the latest edition of Laswell's Material, including adventurous American drummer Hamid Drake and Senegalese percussionist Aiyb Dieng, Ethiopian-Japanese keyboardist Abegasu Shiota, Zaire-born guitarist Dominic Kanza and a two-man horn section). And with her voice a fluid, powerful instrument, Gigi revisits and recharges songs from her studio albums, along with a pair of earthy traditional Ethiopian songs and one previously unrecorded original, 'Shemum Mune.'

Gigi, 'Shemum Mune'

The Addis gig, though, would be a bit different.

"I've been thinking about it," Gigi says. "To be able to do what I have to do there, maybe I'll incorporate some of the musicians from there, too. And it's a holiday, so people might want to dance. Might probably do some songs not on my records, traditional songs, the most popular ones that people like. I'm not really known for dance music or disco. But I want them to have fun. So I'll think about putting some of that in."

Not that she's normally dour or anything. The music on the three studio albums she made with Laswell, starting with 2001's stunning 'Gigi,' is rooted deeply in the traditions of her childhood in the Northeastern Ethiopian town of Chagni and sung in Amaharic, yet are decidedly modern and original (note the official descriptor on the back cover: "Electric Ethiopia – One World Music"). Even with the wide exposure we've had in recent years to Ethiopian music via the comprehensive 'Ethiopiques' series on the Buda Musique label, Gigi's style stands apart, with her and Laswell drawing on a truly global range of sounds – jazz, dub, pop, unclassifiable ambiences – and bringing in such innovative musicians as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Pharaoh Sanders and Karsh Kale to craft the settings.

"In terms of traditional music, I'm not really in tune with is," she says. "But I like very popular traditional songs, songs everybody knows. I don't see myself as a traditional singer. There are modes I'm very good at, and I can do some of the traditional tunes, things I grew up with. But the culture has a lot more to give than what I do with traditional music."

Still, the vibrant, focused arrangements of the band on the live album, running from the supercharged 'Mata Mata' to the stripped-down 'Ethiopia,' reveal the strong ties to the land she left. The Horn of Africa is at the center of the musical map, even on such decidedly original compositions as 'Shemum Mune.'

"It's a love song in a way of Ethiopian tradition to say something about a nice countryman," Gigi says of the new one, given a buoyant full-band treatment here. "Not just a love song but universal, kind of saying nice things about an Ethiopian man, dressed up no matter what, always looks nice and beautiful and handsome."

She laughs.

"And he brings everything alive around him."

Did she have anyone specific in mind when she wrote it?

"Not really," she says, but another burst of laughter keeps the question open. "I don't remember."

That's most explicit ties are heard in 'Tizita and Zerafewa,' a medley of two actual traditional tunes performed as a duet by Gigi and Shiota, accompanied only by percussion and Shiota on the mesinko, a one-stringed bowed fiddle. 'Tizita,' she explains, and the original opening song, 'Bati,' both take their titles from the modes in which they are written – two of the four modes/scales that are utilized in most Ethiopian music.

"It's a song about a memory of love," she says. "I grew up with these songs. I don't remember when was the first time I heard it. But what I'm doing is a version like I heard. Most of it or all of it is traditional as people sing it there. Some is probably taken from Aster a little, style-wise. But it doesn't sound like Aster. It sounds like Gigi when I sing it."

The second part, 'Zerafewa,' offers another side of tradition.

"That's a traditional war song," she says. "Singing kings' names and nations' names. It's kings' names of the past and the wars they fought."

This pair serves as a hint of what might be to come. Gigi is planning to make an album entirely of traditional material. But as she gets ready for the possible return home, the most pointed song on the new album may be the one simply titled 'Ethiopia.'

Originally found on the 2003 album 'Zion Roots,' with Gigi featured in an acoustic setting as part of a group billed as Abyssinia Infinite and released by the German label Network Medien, the song in the live version is compelling, hypnotic, her entrancing voice accompanied just by flute, percussion and a little sax. It's a performance tied inextricably to her love for her homeland and her continued affection for the sounds and spirituality of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

"It started as a political song, but also telling about Ethiopian beauty," she says, recalling that it was written and recorded when she was pregnant with her son. "The mountains, how beautiful the valleys are. And telling people to feel good. Not feel bad about the poverty in the country. Whatever governments come and go, they don't really buy our laughter and cries. Just singing about hope in Ethiopia. You can avoid feeling oppressed and believe in your heart that they don't own you. Everything comes from people's belief in themselves."

The melody and the praise for the qualities of the country and its people, she says, also comes from the tradition of such war songs as 'Zerafewa' with their listing of the virtues of kings and warriors.

"That's the reference it comes from," she says. "But I'm not singing a war song. It's a hope song."

Ethiopian housemaid trades broom for stardom in Iraq(AFP)

ARBIL, Iraq — Ethiopian housemaid Mahlet is changing her name to Maha and cutting her first video clip after proving to her Iraqi boss that she can sing better than she can clean.

Three years after she left her native Ethiopia to work as as a housemaid for prominent Kurdish musician Halcout Zahir, the 20-year-old woman is almost a household name in the northern autonomous region of Kurdistan.

Her break came when Iraq's musical phenomenon Dashni Murad -- dubbed the "Shakira of Kurdistan" -- discovered her.

Murad was sitting in the maestro's recording studio waiting to see Zahir when she heard Mahlet sing while cleaning the house.

Mahlet's voice enchanted her and she urged Zahir to audition the young woman.

"I asked her to sing for me and I couldn't believe my ears. Her voice is beautiful," said Zahir.

The rest is history. Mahlet became Maha.
Zahir composed the music while Iraqi poet Hama Hassan Ibrahim wrote the lyrics for Maha's first video clip, which is due to hit the airwaves soon. 

"Part of it is in Kurdish and the other part is in Amharic (Mahlet's native tongue)," said Zahir.

The song tells Mahlet's story: how a maid journeyed from impoverished Ethiopia to work as a housemaid in Iraqi Kurdistan ... and a star was born.

Back home Mahlet sang in the church choir, but she had to give it up because of her financial woes, and her dream is to become a musical sensation in Ethiopa.

Luck was with her when she got a job working for a prominent musician.

"Many singers came around to the house and I would hear them sing and rehearse," Mahlet told AFP.

"I would listen and learn the lyrics and then sing them" while working, she said.

"I would like to be famous and if I make it hear then I will return home to pursue my career, because in Ethiopia a woman has the freedom to sing and I think my family will be proud of me."

Meanwhile, Mahlet is making a name for herself in Kurdistan where she has made the cover of several women's magazines and is preparing to be interviewed on television.

 

Watch the full episode. See more Sound Tracks.

 

You’ll also see a sampling of her musical styles, including her version of a traditional Ethiopian song, “Abbay Mado” (“From Across the Nile”) about a farmer celebrating his way of life.

 

Aster Awoke appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
 By Tibebeselassie Tigabu/Reporter

The renowned singer Aster Awoke is appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador this Tuesday. Aster is one of the top singers in the Ethiopian music scene and has won many hearts through her unique voice and style for many decades.

She was chosen as an Ambassador because of her singing career which has made her one of the prominent figures in Ethiopia. And through her new role it is hoped that she will be able to convey the message of UNICEF regarding Ethiopian women and children.

“There are reasons why she was chosen. The first one, as many people know, is because of her profile and her capacity to engage the public and also the media attention she can bring to pass the different messages and issues that she will associate with. She is in a point in her career she wants to give back for her community and the opportunity to use UNICEF as a platform to advocate women and children issues with UNICEF,” said Indrias Getachew, Media and External Relations officer with UNICEF.

For a year she will make appearances on different UNICEF events and campaign on women and children issues.

“We are also discussing on the possibility of using her music to promote safe motherhood. There has been a lot of work by UNICEF in collaboration with  the Ministry of Health in promoting safe motherhood and we previously worked with different artists like Chachi and Zeritu in this regard. So, we are also exploring ways to use her song entitled ‘enate’ to promote the campaign,”  Indrias said.
UNICEF is also looking into incorporating its message in Aster’s upcoming album.
Born in Gondar in 1961 and raised in Addis Ababa, Aster started her music career when she was a teenager at Hager Fiker Theatre. Her career took off after she performed in different events and released enduring albums which appeal to different generations.

She also received critical acclaim by the Ethiopian community in the US following her move there and was able to inspire other artists.

Even though she lives in the US, she is still is adored by many people home and her concerts have a huge following. Her 1997 performance, which was attended by a crowd of over 50,000 people, and  the 2009 Peace through Unity, Unity through Music concert in Addis Ababa at the Millenium Hall with other artists  including Gossaye Tesfaye and Pras of the Fugees for which around 10,000 people showed up, are worth mention in this regard.

She is one of the artists who not only has received international acclaim but who also connected soul music with her Ethiopian roots and adds flavor to it.

UNICEF has appointed different musicians like Shakira, Angelique Kidjo and Yvonne Chakachaka to be Goodwill Ambassadors. Aster is the first Ethiopian musician to be chosen for the same role.

Apart from Aster, athletes like Kenenisa Bekele, Tirunesh Dibaba and Birhane Adere are UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors.

Ethiopian Superstar Gigi Releases New Album on MOD Technologies

Ejigayehu “Gigi” Shibawbaw, one of Ethiopia's best-known singers, is releasing her latest album Mesgana Ethiopia on October 19th through MOD Technologies, the label founded by Grammy-winner Bill Laswell (who has collaborated with countless legends from Mick Jagger to Laurie Anderson to Tony Williams). 

This release features Gigi singing her original songs mixed with some Ethiopian traditional tunes – all sung in Amaharic – bridging African styles, Reggae, Dub, Avant-Funk,/Jazz, World Beat, Trance, and Ambient music.

Already an international star, Gigi has recorded and toured across the globe with iconic, master musicians including Tabla Beat Science featuring Zakir Hussain and Sultan Khan, Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Hamid Drake, Sly & Robbie, Abegasu Shiota, Buckethead, Karsh Kale, DJ Disk and Laswell himself. Her music has also been featured in films, including 2003’s Beyond Borders, which starred Angelina Jolie and Clive Owen.

Gigi has a powerful voice that can also convey beautiful fragility. This versatility allows her to be the source and structural framework for her backing band’s African Futurism/One World Music approach. For a taste, click HERE to stream/download “Shemum Mune”!

Mesanga Ethiopia features the following incredibly talented group of musicians:

Bill Laswell: Material founder, legendary bassist, producer, reconstructionist, inventor of Herbie Hancock’s mega-hit “Rockit”, creator of the first and only landmark full album remix-constructions on the music of Bob Marley, Miles Davis & Carlos Santana, cofounder of the Axiom Label w/Chris Blackwell, veteran of over 700 recordings to date.

Abegasu Shiota: Keyboardist, acclaimed producer/arranger of Ethiopian pop culture, has worked with most all of the important artists there.

Hamid Drake: Master drummer, Americas most valuable Avant-Jazz – World/Beat percussionist.

Aiyb Dieng: From Senegal, Easily the most widely recorded African percussionist.

Dominic Kanza: Post Modern African guitarist, master of many advanced styles.

And Featuring 2 world renownguest musicians – Steven Bernstein: Trumpet / slide trumpet; and Peter Apfelbaum: Tenor saxophone, flute, percussion. Both are composers, arrangers and world class band leaders in their own right.


Putting Ethiopia on The World Map

By Tony Hillier

In many ways, Ethiopia is the sleeping giant of African music — the continent’s eastern counterpart to the West African powerhouses of Mali and Senegal. Ethiopia’s music reflects its amazingly diverse mix of ethnicities and languages, its long history and its status as one of only two African countries not to have been colonised by European powers. Even though it employs a unique modal system (pentatonic with characteristically long intervals between some notes), Ethiopian music is totally accessible to western audiences.

Through the filter of their own traditions, Ethiopian musicians of the ‘60s and ‘70s developed an idiosyncratic brand of pop — a mixture of military brass band music, jazz, funk and soul. The music’s comparative lack of exposure has led to the suggestion that it’s the missing link in the pan-African melting pot.

Few non-natives know more about Ethiopian music or indeed appreciate the country’s musicians more than Frenchman Francis Falceto, who’s bringing a band to Adelaide led by the legendary singer Mahmoud Ahmed . The Paris-based journalist and music producer is responsible for the critically acclaimed Ethiopiques compilation series that has done more than anything else to put the music of Africa’s second most populous state on the world map, at least in Europe. Ethiopiques, which features primarily singers and musicians from the golden era of Ethiopian music, was launched on the Buda Musique label in 1998. In December 2009, Falceto issued Volumes 24 & 25 of the series and he’s preparing another dozen more for release over the next year or two.

When I talked to Falceto in mid-December, he had only recently returned from a trip to Ethiopia. He returned in January, and was back there again after WOMADelaide to supervise a festival he helps stage in the capital, Addis Ababa. Read More

ONE NIGHT ONLY Ethiopian Music at Mesob Restaurant October 1st!
by VickiePMP (Zimbio)

Zena Bel Band is a three piece group, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The group is the result of the continuing collaborations of two Ethiopian azmari musicians, and one violin player from Boston's Debo Band, a ten-member collective influenced by 1970s-era Ethiopian funk. Zena Bel Band's members first came together when Debo Band collaborated with some traditional musicians while on tour in Ethiopia in May 2009.

The traditional drum "kebero" is played by Asrat Ayalew, while Kaethe Hostetter's five-string acoustic violin evokes the Ethiopian "masinqo," a one-string bowed instrument. Selamnesh Zemene, the vocalist, sings in a variety of traditional Ethiopian styles. Her mother and grandmother both having been azmari singers, she is steeped in this tradition, which often incorporates humor and improvising during its performance. The azmari are traditionally wandering musicians from the countryside, who sing, play, and dance for money. With witty lyrics rich in innuendo and double entendre, Azmari musical traditions have been documented in a few volumes of Ethiopiques, the renowned CD series out of France.Read More

"Celebrities" booed off stage
By Yelibenwork Ayele

Late last Sunday was the most unlikely time for a concert at the Millennium Hall.

Gosaye Tesfaye and Ephrem Tamiru, currently two of the most popular singers, were on the stage when Shakira’s larger-than-life image popped on the big screens in the hall.

Shakira was singing live at the Stadium in South Africa just before the final match of the world cup kicked off. But in the hall, because of the concert, the sound of the TV was muted. 

People saw the images of Shakira but heard the sound of local music from the stage. The audience was swayed by Shakira and suddenly had enough of Gossaye and Ephrem. And almost in unison the audience booed at the singers and clamored for Shakira.

It seems that the singers confused the mass noise for applause as they went on grinding their performance at the unreceptive audience.

Worse still, Abraham Wolde, the concert host, wanted to speak about copyright after Gosaye climbed down the stage. “I had gone to the concert with my niece,” said Tamiru Woldemariam, a high school teacher, “and she wondered whether she was listening to a radio program when the issue of copyrights was brought up.”

Tamiru himself admits that he was booing with the crowed. “It’s not that I prefer Shakira to local singers but at that moment she had more to do with World Cup than Gosaye and Ephrem. Besides, who was ready for a message about copyrights while everybody was in a state of excitement about the final match. And it was about to start in no time.”

Two years ago on the eve of the Ethiopian millennium when Beyoncé Knowles had sung in the Millennium Hall the same thing had happened. Beyoncé had been so hypnotizing on the audience that after she was done, almost nobody could appreciate the performances of the local singers. Some people had walked out the hall while others sat with their eyes fixed on the vacant stage that Beyoncé had just left behind.

Then, Beyoncé was in person on the stage but this time Shakira was only a picture on the screen. Yet they both had the same effect on the audience in the Millennium Hall

“It’s not only where I am from, it’s what the hell I am, ETHIOPIA.”- Yonie

 Watch the video

Actor, poet, singer, writer, editor, director… the list of things that Yonie Solomon is capable of is endless.  Yonie, born and raised in Seattle, Washington began writing and acting at an early age. 
Five  years ago Yonie moved to LA to get a taste of what the media business was like. After starring as an extra in many TV shows, working as a casting director, and directing/producing  his own TV show, Yonie relocated back to Seattle finding that he was not able to do what he really wanted to do.  Unlike most people his age, he does not want his work to be about meaningless drama and materialistic lifestyles.  Rather, his work reflects his experiences as a first generation Ethiopian American.  His lyrics are insightful, inspiring and meaningful.  

For the past six months Yonie has been working on his first independent film called, “An Ethiopian Love.”  The movie is about a young man born and raised in America and his experiences while visiting Ethiopia for the first time. This movie was filmed in Los Angeles, Seattle and back home in Addis Ababa. While creating his film, Yonie wanted his target audience to not only be adults but also the younger generation. He wants this to be something everyone can relate to and identify with. The movie will premiere in September. For more information about the movie and Yonie Solomon, you can find him on Facebook.
This past week, the 27th annual Ethiopian soccer tournament was held at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, CA. On Friday, July 2nd Yonie performed two poems that he wrote.  His first poem was about a recent tragic loss of family that he grew up with. Instead of writing about the sadness that he has gone through, he wrote about dealing with such a tragedy in a positive way.  The second poem was a revision of a poem that he wrote in 2004. It talks about the Media’s negative depiction of Ethiopians and Ethiopia.
Below you will find a rough video of his performance on Friday night, although the camera isn’t steady (security kept trying to make me move), his words are clear.  Become familiar with Yonie Solomon, because its young, motivated people like him that will help make a change for generations to come. 
Written by: Gallane Tadesse
Editor in Chief

Eyob Mekonnen to go on international tour
By Alemayehu Seife-Selassie

The young Ethiopian singing sensation, Eyob Mekonnen, is going on an international musical tour starting this June. The artist, who has just concluded his one-month, four-city road show tour in Ethiopia, will be traveling to the US and Europe.

The trip, which is the first for the artist and organized by Yisakal Entertainment, has gathered over 5,000 music fans in Mekele, and similar numbers in three other cities - Awassa, Dire Dawa and Jijiga. “The tour was a success. There has not been such a large crowd gathering for any artist in the different cities of Ethiopia,” Eyob Alemayehu, organizer of the show said.

Held at the time of the 2010 elections, the tour was entitled Finding Peace.

On this nationwide road show, Eyob was accompanied by Zeritu Kebede, Johnny Ragga, Trehas and Tilahun Elfneh. Tilahun Elfeneh has released a new single for the tour entitled Selam Fikir Tena. Johnny Ragga has also sung a new single on the harmony of nations and nationalities.

Eyob will be traveling to the US at the end of June to perform at the annual Ethiopian soccer championship in the US. The artist will be playing in Washington DC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Jose, Las Vegas, Seattle, and three cities in Canada before his Amsterdam and London shows.

It has been a couple of years since Eyob released his hit début album Kal, and he has been receiving wide acclaim ever since. The artist has made a reggae album that has distinguished him from other Ethiopian musicians. But he has not had a concert of his own before this one.

“Eyob’s music has started to get large acclaim. His songs are gradually getting more popular. That is why we want to have the musical tour now,” the organizer said.

Eyob will sing two new singles, one of which is a Somali song he performed in Jijiga while the other has not been presented before.

The organizer revealed that Yisakal Entertainment is thinking of having Zeritu Kebede join Eyob in his international tour. But it has not finalized the decision yet. Zion Band will accompany the artist in the tour.

The organizer said that he expects some 1,000 to 2,000 people at the shows and that they will be charged USD 30 to 40 each.

He also expressed hope that Eyob will likely get international deals after his performance abroad.

After his international tour ends, Eyob will be continuing his nationwide tour Finding Peace.

 Meklit Hadero: Ethiopia Meets San Francisco



You may not have heard Meklit Hadero's music before, but once you do, it'll be tough to forget. Hadero's sound is a unique blend of jazz, Ethiopia, the San Francisco art scene and visceral poetry; it paints pictures in your head as you listen. Her first musical performance was only five years ago, when she spent 20 minutes covering other artists' music. Now, she's set to release her debut album, On a Day Like This..., in April.

The Ethiopian-born Hadero spent the majority of her childhood in Brooklyn before moving away when she was 12. After relocating to San Francisco, she left college, where she was studying political science, and began focusing more seriously on music. She says it wasn't hard to make that transition.

"My friends were artists, and they were really deep in their craft," Hadero says. "It was so inspiring, and that kind of momentum carried me along."

As an artist, Hadero combines her passion for music with social justice and community engagement. Her business card reads, "Singer, musician and cultural activist."

"I do a lot of work with arts and culture, using music and culture to bring people together," she says.

Despite Hadero's passion for her work, her parents had their doubts. As immigrants who sought economic opportunity for their family, they questioned her decision to pursue a financially challenging career. Ultimately, though, they've been supportive. Hadero says her dad gives a standing ovation at every show.

Hadero's voice has been compared to Nina Simone's. She says she considers Simone an idol and covers her song "Feeling Good" on the new record.

"For years and years and years, she was one of the first albums that I would play when I would get home at the end of the day," Hadero says. "She's been an enormous influence on me 

 

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