Yohana Ashenafi is redefining Ethiopia’s reggae and dancehall scene with his signature blend of tradition and modern sound. Born in Debrezeit, a place where creativity thrives, he attended Kidist Selassie (Holy Trinity) Cathedral School, which nurtured both discipline and artistry. Though he later pursued mechanical engineering at Mekelle University, music was always his true calling. His professional journey began there when he joined his first band, setting the stage for a career that would soon take off.
In 2019, he released his debut album, Yohana, introducing a fresh sound that quickly won over fans. His second album, Ereft, followed in 2021, further solidifying his place in the industry. Now, his latest album, Hello, has become a beloved hit. In an exclusive interview with Addis Insight, Yohana opened up about his new album, his journey, his passion, and his vision for taking Ethiopian reggae to the world.
Rototom Sunsplash, one of the world’s largest reggae festivals, is a global stage where artists celebrate the genre’s roots and spread its influence. Since childhood, Yohana dreamed of performing there, representing his country on reggae’s grandest platform. His passion and relentless dedication to music paid off—while performing in Addis Ababa’s club scene, he caught the attention of Rototom’s concert team. In a rare feat, without even a single released track, he was selected to perform at the festival, achieving his lifelong dream as a teenager.
“I formed a band and started performing in clubs, but I never imagined this would happen,” he recalled. “You’ll succeed when you stay true to your own path with dedication.” At the time, lacking original songs, he performed Jamaican Rasta classics. While many bands infused their music with their country’s sound, his band was purely Jamaican. “That experience taught me the importance of creating my own style, using my local language, and incorporating traditional instruments. That’s why most of my songs today are in Amharic and feature traditional instruments.”
He also shared that his scholarship at Jazz Amba, an African jazz school NGO, played a crucial role in helping him merge dancehall and reggae with Ethiopia’s rich traditional music.
When Yohana first released his song, it resonated deeply with a young generation hungry for global sounds infused with a local touch. His songwriting, rich with meaning and emotion, beautifully intertwines patriotism with the pulse of dancehall and reggae. He attributes this unique fusion to his formative years.
“My childhood was a golden time,” he reflects. “I used to spend my time at Sunday school, writing poems, and my education at Kidist Selassie (Holy Trinity) Cathedral School further honed my command of the Amharic language.” Yohana also credits his mother, a gifted poet, for nurturing his talent and teaching him the art of excellence in every verse.
He shared that his years of performing across various clubs have been instrumental in refining his melodies, allowing him to master the art of connecting with his audience through music.
Although he formed a childhood band with his friends in the village, entertaining the local kids, Yohana’s professional music journey truly began when he moved to Mekelle University. There, he teamed up with stars like Dawit Nega and Tsedi, forming a band called Zoscales, which laid the foundation for his music career. He doesn’t believe he chose the reggae style after discovering his talent; rather, he feels reggae drew him to music.
“I love reggae,” he says. “Because of this, I grew up listening to songs by Eyob Mekonnen and Johnny Raga during my childhood.”
From his self-titled debut album Yohana to his second release, Ereft, Yohana has been a pioneer in sharing his music via digital streaming platforms and social media channels like Telegram and YouTube. He explained that most of his fans are active on social media and many are not even familiar with physical CDs.
“There are no CD shops in this digital age,” he noted. “My fans pay me through my concerts.”
By securing Content ID through an agreement with international song streaming platforms before releasing his albums, Yohana has ensured that his work remains protected on YouTube.
“I even generate income from people who upload my songs on YouTube,” he said with a laugh.
Yohana has returned with a storming new album, Hello. This time, he’s gone beyond melody, incorporating traditional idioms from everyday life across Ethiopia.
“I titled it Hello to greet the nation, the nationalities, and the people of Ethiopia,” he shared with Addis Insight.
While many of this generation’s Ethiopian artists incorporate the rhythm of traditional songs, Yohana chose to infuse his music with timeless sayings that have shaped the daily lives of Ethiopians, laying the foundation for his dream of showcasing his country on a global stage.
“Since the words are easily catchable, I want to teach our local expressions to my fans,” he added.
His approach has clearly resonated—one of his songs has already surpassed a million views on YouTube.
Beyond its cultural resonance, the album also functions as a strategic marketing tool for his upcoming concerts. The title Hello serves as a warm, personal invitation to his audience, fostering a deeper connection. On a deeper level, the greeting also marks the beginning of a new chapter in Yohana’s career—a symbolic “hello” to his future aspirations, including the release of a jazz album.
Moreover, as African artists continue to make their mark on the global stage, Yohana envisions an era where Ethiopia, too, will produce an iconic artist—one who doesn’t just represent the nation but embodies the spirit of Africa as a whole.
With all his albums, Yohana stands as the creative force behind every song—crafting the lyrics, shaping the melodies, and overseeing the production. Beyond his own artistry, he is deeply committed to nurturing fresh talent. Once he finalizes the melody, chord progression, and bassline, he collaborates with emerging producers for each album, giving them a platform to showcase their skills and paving the way for a new generation to leave their mark on Ethiopia’s music industry.
Ethiopia is a country known for its deep-rooted history, spirit of freedom, and legendary long-distance runners, yet it remains without a single internationally renowned singer. Moreover, in today’s digital age, where views and likes are the new currency, authentic music often gets lost in the noise. While emerging artists are gaining momentum through their tracks or a robust digital presence across various media platforms, the focus of many songs today seems to have shifted from passion and authenticity to financial gain.
For Yohana, music and the music industry exist in parallel realms.
“Music is the voice of the soul,” he reflects, “while the music industry operates as a business. It demands market analysis, strategic planning, and efficient systems—if one element falters, the entire structure crumbles.”
He emphasizes that while passion fuels the artist, navigating the industry requires a blend of creativity and commercial acumen.
But there’s more to it than just passion and strategy. Yohana insists that artists must also understand the science of music.
“Take Mulatu Astatke,” he explains. “He didn’t just play music—he mastered it. By blending the science of sound with Ethiopia’s rich cultural tapestry, he created something timeless. It’s not that others didn’t have talent; it’s that he had the formula.”
When asked, If you could have dinner with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why? Yohana instantly named Bob Marley and Quincy Jones, the legendary American record producer.
“Quincy Jones is an incredible producer who worked on Michael Jackson’s greatest hits. Since I’m passionate about production as well, it would be an honor to meet him,” he shared.
