Contributed by Hans Hsu
Pictures taken by Sean Barlow, 2007


Afropop Worldwide just returned from a stunning and revealing trip to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.  A country steeped in tradition and deep historical roots, Addis’ music scene doesn’t disappoint.  Our mission was to find out who are some of the up and coming Ethiopian stars.  The results were several interviews with truly talented artists, such as Gosaye and Ashanafi.  We take a peek at what it takes to “make it” in Addis as a performer as well as a producer.  The musical “behind the scenes” of Addis is driven by ambitious and innovative studio producers.  The following feature connects you to the artists presented in this show.

Aster Aweke is no newcomer to the scene in Addis, in fact she helped propel Ethiopian pop music onto the world stage almost 20 years ago.  She is still a favorite among Ethiopians, especially in Addis.  Her energetic stage performance, beautiful voice, and soulful presence are why she’s still adored.

Aster Aweke on Afropop Worldwide
Aster Aweke Official Website



Next, Afropop visited with reknowned producer Abegasu Shiota.  Shiota comes from mixed Japanese and Ethiopian heritage.  He is an highly respected and in-demand producer.  Shiota was privileged enough to study at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he was educated in many aspects of music life.  He owns a studio in Addis where he is constantly working, churning out hits by local talent.  Some of the artists he’s currently working with include Gossaye Tesfaye and Abinet Agonafir.  Shiota also worked with the winner of this year’s Ethiopian Idol, Ashanafi.


We experienced the night life at some urban clubs in Addis.  Besat, a singer and club owner, performs a traditional form of Ethiopian music.  Known as the azmaris, these bards now call azmaribets their night club homes.  The typical azmari ensemble is characterized by the masenko, a one stringed, Ethiopian violin, played vertically and the krar, a six stringed lyre.  This music differs from Shiota’s work because it is non-commercial.  There are few recordings and the music receives almost no radio play.  Besat performs music that doesn’t necessarily appeal to the pop music market, yet it is still popular among Ethiopians.

Learn more about azmari traditions







Tsedenia has an amazing voice and an equally impressive career.  She won the prestigious Kora Music Award for all of East Africa at a very young age.  She worked her way up the ladder in Addis and eventually performed with singer Mahmoud Ahmed, a legendary figure in Ethiopian music.


We met a saxophonist by the name of Yarid.  He is currently recording on an upcoming Mahmoud Ahmed release.  Yarid demonstrated the Ethiopian pentatonic scales and their variations.  It became clear that this sound is present in both Ethio-jazz as well as contemporary pop music.




Classic pop in the chichica rhythm, tailored for the distinct Ethiopian eskesta shoulder-shaking dance, isn’t the only thing stirring up the interest of the youth.  Reggae has experience a surge in popularity with the help of rising superstars like Teddy Afro, Jonny Ragga, and Tsehaye Yohanes.  Although Rastafarian culture and reggae seem synonymous with Ethiopia’s late emperor Haile Selassie, reggae was never a music of Ethiopia, until now.  These artists have molded reggae into something distinctly Ethiopian.  Be sure to check their work out!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this sneak peek into the musical world that is Addis.  Be sure to visit these following links.

Learn more about what’s going on in Addis, and to learn more about the culturally and historically rich country of Ethiopia.

Buy Ethiopian Music!

Afropop’s Podcast!

EthiopianSound.com

Ethiopian News, Video and Music at AddisLive!

Frances Falseto’s Famous Ethiopiques CD Series!

The African Travel Association Official Website

Ethiopian Airlines

First published: www.afropop.org