Diaspora

Samra’s Son: How a Mother’s Legacy Brewed The Weeknd’s Homage to Ethiopia

Part I: A Ceremony of Connection – The Launch of Samra Origins A Rare Public Appearance When Samra Origins debuted, it wasn’t rolled out like a typical celebrity product—it felt like a cultural moment. Abel Tesfaye, known to the world as The Weeknd, stood alongside the woman who shaped his life: his mother, Samrawit Hailu.

August 9, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Entertainment & Arts

The Weeknd and His Mother Bring Ethiopian Coffee Culture to the World

The Weeknd and His Mother Bring Ethiopian Coffee Culture to the World with Nespresso’s Samra Origins Blend In a rare and deeply personal collaboration, global music icon Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, has teamed up with Nespresso to launch a coffee collection that pays tribute to his Ethiopian heritage—and the woman who shaped

August 7, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Meet Ethiopian-American Dr. Aminé: A Rapper Reimagining Diaspora, Academia, and Home

When Adam Aminé Daniel—better known simply as Aminé—returned to Portland State University this June, he did so not as a student or guest performer, but as an honoree. Nine years after he left the university to pursue music full-time, the institution awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. In that moment, as the applause

June 18, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Entertainment & Arts

Memory, Melody, and Modernity: Teshome Mitiku and the Jazz Echoes of Ethiopian Soul

In a sunlit rehearsal room far from the bustling streets of Addis Ababa, an unlikely fusion pulses to life. The stage is shared by Teshome Mitiku — one of the golden-era legends of Ethiopian music — and Either/Orchestra, a Boston-based ensemble with a penchant for bending jazz into new geographies. Together, they weave an intricate

June 12, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Entertainment & Arts

The Voice That Crossed Borders: How Milen Hailu Is Singing Eritrea and Ethiopia Closer Together

🎤 The Voice That Crossed Borders: How Milen Hailu Is Singing Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia Closer Together When Milen Hailu took the stage in Addis Ababa, she wasn’t just stepping into a music scene—she was stepping across a once-closed border, into a fragile peace, and into the hearts of millions. Originally from Eritrea, she arrived

June 4, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Ethiopia’s Digital Creator Economy Gets a Boost as JAMI and Arifpay Launch Country’s First Multi-Currency Tipping Platform

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — May 29, 2025 Ethiopia’s fast-growing digital economy just got a major shot in the arm. JAMI, a newly launched content monetization platform founded by local tech entrepreneur Nathan Damtew, has officially partnered with leading fintech company Arifpay to debut the country’s first multi-currency digital tipping service for creators. The platform, unveiled

May 29, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Entertainment & Arts

“Yasteseryal” at 20: The Album that Revolutionized Ethiopian Music and Consciousness

In 2005, a voice rose from the heart of Ethiopia that cut through political silence, generational apathy, and cultural amnesia. That voice belonged to Tewodros Kassahun—better known as Teddy Afro—and the message was Yasteseryal. Today, two decades later, we commemorate this landmark album not just as a musical achievement but as a cultural reckoning and

May 10, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Entertainment & Arts

Boiler Room Comes to Addis Ababa: Why the World’s Most Iconic Underground Music Platform Matters for Ethiopian Sound

For over a decade, Boiler Room has stood at the intersection of underground music and global culture. Founded in London in 2010, the platform began as a DIY livestream setup in a literal boiler room—broadcasting raw DJ sets from local talents to a digital audience. Today, it is one of the most influential curators of

May 7, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Entertainment & Arts

Kuku Sebsibe to Release Eighth Album ‘Dejazmach’: A Celebration of Ethiopian Music

Celebrated Ethiopian singer Kuku Sebsibe, known for her distinctive blend of traditional Ethiopian melodies and modern influences, is poised to release her eighth album, “Dejazmach,” on April 24, 2017. With a career deeply rooted in music from a young age, Kuku’s journey is a testament to her passion and commitment to Ethiopian musical heritage. Born

April 29, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Culture

A Deep Dive into Ethiopia’s Most Streamed Musicians on Spotify

By AHA-Z Insights | Data as of December 2024 In a compelling reflection of global music trends and the growing influence of Ethiopian soundscapes, a recent ranking by AHA-Z Insights highlights the top 10 Ethiopian musicians on Spotify based on monthly listeners. This curated list not only recognizes streaming numbers but also offers a unique

March 29, 2025 • By Addis Insight