Five Video Clips from Ethiopia

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Internet connection troubles took Addis Abeba based musician Ethiopian Records (E.R.) – yes it's a musician, not a label – several weeks to finish his video selection for Norient. He wrote us: «Here are a few videos and music that I like. It was not easy finding videos after 2013 – some are older, much older. I have tried to pick music and video that moves me, I hope you like it and it moves you to.»

Artist: uKanDanZ
Track: Sema

Little kids playing air saxophone, listros, shaking shoulders combined with Asnake Guebreyes` beautiful vocals.

Artist: Melaku Belay
Track: Ahun

Melaku Belay is a traditional and experimental dancer and owner of the famous Fendika in Kazanchis in midtown Addis. The video says it all.

Artist: Eyob Mekonnen
Track: Nekchalehu

Video not available anymore.

Eyob Makonen's lyrics, voice, his message, make him one of a kind. This song in particular Neckatchelehu, meaning I am awake, is my favorite.

Artist: Alemu Aga
Track: Ere Semagne Haguer

Alemu Aga is a masterful performer of the Begena, a ten-stringed instrument used in religious and spiritual chants, it is also referred to as «King David's Harp». I feel this instrument gives me a sense of peace and tranquility. This track in particular, «Ere Semagne Haguer» which could be translated as («Listen to Me, my country») is my favorite. Its meaning is not something I can translate in a few lines.

Artist: Ali Bira
Track: Nin deema

This is my favorite video of Ali Bira I use to watch often on TV as a kid and every time I watch it I can't seem to get tired of it.

... and if you still don't have enough of Ethiopian music, check these two more videos:

Asnaketche Worku: «Tizita»

Zion Rebels: «What we need»

Biography

Ethiopian Records (E.R.) is a young Electronic Musician from Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, Africa, making mostly Ethiopian electronic Music. ኢትዮጲያዊ ኤሌክትሮኒክ ሙዚቃ debut coming up on 1432R in October 2014. Don’t put it in a box and compartmentalize it, music is free and universal, it’s not a tidy cupboard where everything is in its place, so that it can be easily consumed. Follow him on SoundCloud, Instagram, Facebook , X, Youtube, or Spotify.

Published on August 29, 2014

Last updated on October 26, 2020

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Five Video Clips from Afghanistan

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by Lisa Akbary

After the Taliban Regime made the playing and hearing of music illegal and impossible, in the past twelve years music in Afghanistan has come back to life and taken a new and modern path. There is no place in the country, where you don’t hear new hits, no shop or home where music videos aren’t screened and watched on TV.

Just recently the show Estareya Afghan (Afghan Star) similar to was one of the most popular shows in the country. Music and music videos of the new era in Afghanistan are a synergie of classical instruments and sounds, Bollywood and Western Style. But one phenomenon is constant: its all about love and peace, in a country that is still facing insecurity and political crisis.

Artist: Brishna Ameel
Track: Sola

Video not available anymore.

Breshna Amel is a famous Pashton singer that is consequently refusing poppy candy music videos but rather well known for a traditional way of singing and video productions. She is admired for her high and soft voice. In this song Amel is singing about the peace that she wishes for her country in a rather poetic way.

Artist: Valy
Track: Pashtou – Attani

Is another Pashto music video is a classical example of Afghanistans modern music videos: a lot of kitch, beaches and of course a love story. Valy is a famous Afghan pop singer that has even made it in Pakistan. Born in Iran and living in Germany he is an example of famous Afghan singers producing famous pop songs from abroad. This video is however critizised to have nothing to do with «Atan» the traditional Pashtoon tribal dance.

Artist: Naghma
Track: Chal De Meene Ta Jor Kare De

Video not available anymore.

Naghma is a prominent Afghan singer that started her career in the 1970’s. As Farhad Darya, the American based superstar, she sings in both languages, dari and pashto. This video shows a concert of Naghma, probably in Afghanistan. As you can see: not a single woman is in the crowd.

Artist: Shafiq Mureed
Track: Khanda Ko

Video not available anymore.

This video in another national language, Hazaragi, is a nice example of a revamped traditional music video style (and it even has English subtitles here). This song celebrates the spring and invites to «laugh and forget about all worries». As many Afghan videos it gives a snapshot of Afghanistans breathtaking landscape and nature. Shafiq Mureed is a famous pop singer from Laghman and has produced many concerts and music videos in Afghanistan.

Artist: Jawid Sharif
Track: Yak Qadam Pesh

Jawid Sharif is the booming star of present day Afghanistan. He is singing in dari and his Hit «Yak Qadam Pesh» was a super hit last year, playing up and down everywhere in Kabul. He took part of the jury of Estareye Afghan (Afghan Star) and is the most famous dari singing popstar of the new generation.