Hip Hop and Rap in Ethiopia
When you talk about Ethiopian Rap/Hip Hop, these are the people who have given us its true meaning.
To be an artist, especially in Ethiopia, is a difficult task to undertake.
One needs to be dedicated to the point of obsession with their work.
Love of producing only the best works is the hallmark of a truly great artist.
Ethiopian Hip Hop Battle Rap
Battle Rap is a relatively new phenomenon hitting the streets of Addis Ababa, and as of late has been gaining in popularity, with the crowds, as well as the number of Ethiopian battle rappers increasing daily.
Rapper Kapo Israel, one of the main pioneers and unofficially crowned king of battle rap, is leading the way, organizing shows and more.
Click to watch a battle rap in Addis Ababa
It is our hope that the following list shines a light for all those hard working Ethiopian Hip Hop artists and rappers that deserve the honor of being 10 of the best Ethiopian rappers/Hip Hop artists in 2022.
1. Lij Michael
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Lij Michael, also known as Faf is considered one of Ethiopian Hip Hop's first initiators.
He began his career with musical shows organized by institutions of higher learning then went on to Dj.
He found success as a Dj and began to get a name for himself.
By 2007, he released his debut single "Arada L'arada" which became an instant success with over 300,000 views on YouTube in its first 3 months.
His latest album has also reportedly sold over 50,000 copies.
With his unique flavored style that infuses Hip Hop and Ethiopian music, Lij Michael, the singer, song writer, producer has became the proverbial King of Ethiopian Rap.
2. Teddy Yo
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Teddy Yo, an Ethiopian rap god began with the group Gamo Boys, but went solo and exploded into the lime light.
His unique style of using rhythms from different parts of Ethiopia, as well as having thought provoking lyrics has earned him legions of fans in Ethiopia and abroad.
Teddy Yo's second album, to be released in 2018 is entitled Prisoner and he claims the title refers to those who are a prisoner of culture.
The album will have 18 tracks with different, and more stronger beats than what he is used to.
Prisoner will also feature hip hop celebrities such as the Jungle Crew and reggae star Jah Lud.
Teddy's love of country and history has put this super talented rapper on the map as one of Ethiopia's Hip Hop greats.
3. Mc Mike
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Mc Mike a relatively new entrant into the Ethiopian rap scene, exploded with his hit song Gondergna, which was about the ancient city of Gondar and the heroic Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros.
His quick fire style of rapping has been lauded by fans everywhere of Ethiopian - Amharic Hip Hop.
We expect to see a lot more from this talented rapper who infuses Ethiopia's proud historical heritage into his music.
4. Skat Nati
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Another rising star in Ethiopian Hip Hop is Skat Nati. His single Sera, blew up all over the radio waves, clubs, etc.
His hit single Sera could literally be taken to mean this artist started working seriously on his skills both as a songwriter and a rapper.
His style is unique and his confident style of rapping has earned him a spot as one of Ethiopia's best rappers.
5. Amine
This first-generation Ethiopian-American rapper, director, song-writer is proud to be displayed as a multicultural artist.
Amine is Portland's (Oregon, USA) first international Hip Hop artist, but they have to share some of that credit with Ethiopia.
Amines approach to music has always been different and not as a traditionalist Hip Hop artist from the States.
He followed up the amazing Caroline track with Baba, which means dad in Amharic, Ethiopia's official language.
The tracks outro is also rapped in his parent's native tongue, it is this cross cultural style that has made Amine appeal to a large global audience.
We expect a lot from this rapper and we can be sure the future will be bright for this Ethiopian rapper.
6. NOS
Nos maybe somewhat new to the Ethiopian rap game but the effort he puts in his music and the business that accompanies it has made him look like he has been here for a while.
His deep lyrics and word play have earned him a spot as one of Ethiopia's premiere Hip Hop artists.
One should not be mistaken and take this ultra talented and smooth flowing artist for granted.
This true Ethiopian hustler is getting a name as one of Ethiopia's hardest working rappers.
So keep an eye (and ear) out for this exceptional artist.
7. MC Siyamregn
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MC Siyamregn deserves a spot among the best rappers in the Ethiopian rap industry.
Over the years, he has released a multitude of tracks that made him very famous among Ethiopian rap enthusiasts, both locally in Ethiopia and abroad.
He may not be as popular as Lij Michael but he has definitely cut a niche for himself as a great rapper.
We look forward to many more entertaining tracks from this enterprising Ethiopian artist.
8. Lola Monroe
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Lola Monroe got her name from Marilyn Monroe, who similar to Lola, both models and acts.
This beautiful woman was born in Ethiopia and raised in Washington DC.
She says she was influenced by artists such as 2pac and Lauryn Hill.
Her aggressive and dexterous flows over club heavy beats led her to a nomination in the 2011 BET's Best Female Hip Hop Artist category.
She was also the first female to join international superstar Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang label.
We look forward to an actual win and not just a nomination from Ethiopia's best female rapper.
9. HaHu Beats
Hahu Beats has been in the Ethiopian rap game for over 8 years now. He started with English lyrics but is now rapping in Amharic.
This multi talented artist, makes beats, as well as films through his pioneering company Fidel Productions.
As a youth, he was heavily influenced by artists such as DMX, Nas and Busta Rhymes.
Today, he is one of the leading people in the Hip Hop music industry.
10. Kapo Israel
Kapo the Kapstone better known as Kapo Israel is a Jamaican national that is a FM radio presenter, and has been unofficially crowned king of battle rap in Ethiopia.
Many believe Kapo Israel is one of the most underrated Ethiopian rappers.
Although, this may be because he raps primarily in English, he is still as gifted as they come, without a doubt.
Kapo has a way with words that enables him to compose great raps that are memorable and leave you nodding your head.
His style can be compared with Eminenm, although not so similar they are alike.
He has his own unique, awe inspiring and thrilling punch lines that make him unforgettable in the minds of his listeners.
He is also a great freestyler, with a sharp mind and sometimes hilarious lyrics.
Kapo Israel is definitely underestimated and we all look forward to see him rise up as one of the best in Ethiopian Hip Hop.
FAQs
Who is the best rapper in Ethiopia? ›
If Ethiopia had a "rap star," then it would be Lij Michael. The young rapper, previously known as Faf, is what many would describe as the most popular Ethiopian rapper to date.
Who is Ethiopian best artist? ›1. Aster Aweke. Aster Aweke is an Ethiopian-born, Washington-based singer. One of the country's leading artists, Aweke was born in Gondar in 1961, and was already making strides towards a professional music career in her home country by her late teens.
What rapper has the most hits 2020? ›As Genius pointed out, the top 9 artists with the most Billboard Hot 100 hits entries are all rappers. Lil Uzi Vert sits atop the list with 36 Hot 100 entries at the mid-year mark, following his chart-topping album Eternal Atake, which spent it's first two weeks atop the Billboard 200.
What is amine ethnicity? ›Aminé is the son of Ethiopian immigrants who came to the United States in the early 1990s. Aminé's mother worked at a post office and his father was a teacher and translator part-time. Aminé was born and raised in the Northeast Portland neighborhood of Woodlawn.
How tall is anime The Rapper? ›The 27-year-old is said to be 5 ft 11 inches tall.
Who is famous in Ethiopia? ›Mohammed Hussein Ali Al-Amoudi is an Ethiopian and Saudi Arabian businessman. He was born in Ethiopia and his network is calculated at about 10.9 billion. He is also considered to be Ethiopia's largest investor and the richest man in the country.
Who is the richest man in the Ethiopia? ›1) Mohammed Al Amoudi
Considered the richest person in Ethiopia, his business comprises Oil & Gas, Real Estate and Technology. Worth $8.3 billion, Al-Amoudi's fortune is derived mainly from closely held companies in Sweden, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia.
...
Music of Ethiopia.
| Ethiopian music | |
|---|---|
| Typical instruments | Krar masenqo saxophone washint begena |
| Subgenres | |
| Zema / Ethiopian-Eritrean Christian Liturgical Chant | |
| Local scenes | |
NBA YoungBoy Passes 10 Billion YouTube Video Views, Has Been Platform's Top-Ranked Artist All Year. YoungBoy Never Broke Again has officially passed 10 billion views on YouTube, where he has been the platform's #1-ranked artist every single week in 2022.
Who is the number 1 rapper right now? ›1. Drake. Following the release of his much anticipated Certified Lover Boy album, Drake has verified yet again that he unarguably belongs to the league of the best of all-time rappers.
Who is the top rapper right now? ›
- Eminem.
- Kendrick Lamar.
- Kanye West.
- Travis Scott.
- J. Cole.
- Drake.
- Snoop Dogg.
- Jay-Z.
| Position | Rapper | Top Strength |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eminem | Charisma |
| 2 | Tech N9ne | Flow |
| 3 | Chali 2na | Multisyllabic Rhymes |
| 4 | Jay-Z | Authenticity |
The Beatles have the most No. 1 hits of all time: 20.
What is Aminé used for? ›Amine treating is a type of gas sweetening that refers to a group of processes that utilize solvents to remove acid gases, H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), from process streams. It is commonly used in refineries and gas plants to improve safety, prevent corrosion and meet environmental regulations.
Is Aminé A Eritrean? ›A first-generation American and son of immigrants, Aminé wears his identity with pride. “I think about it a lot,” he says. “I'm personally so proud to be a first-generation Eritrean-Ethiopian.
How do you name amines? ›Simple 1°, 2°, and 3° amines: common (trivial) names are obtained by alphabetically arranging the names of the alkyl substituents on the nitrogen and adding the suffix -amine (e.g., ethylmethylamine). Amines in the IUPAC system: the “e” ending of the alkane name for the longest chain is replaced with –amine.
When was anime created? ›Modern anime began in 1956 and found lasting success in 1961 with the establishment of Mushi Productions by Osamu Tezuka, a leading figure in modern manga, the dense, novelistic Japanese comic book style that contributed greatly to the aesthetic of anime. Anime such as Miyazaki Hayao's Princess Mononoke (1997) are the ...
What anime started all? ›Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka, premiered on Fuji TV on January 1, 1963. It became the first anime shown widely to Western audiences, especially to those in the United States, becoming relatively popular and influencing U.S. popular culture, with American companies acquiring various titles from Japanese producers.
How much is Drake net worth? ›| Name | Aubrey Drake Graham |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 24, 1986 |
| Birth Place | Toronto, Canada |
| Star Sign | Scorpio |
Ethiopia rewards visitors with stunning scenery, great food, world-renowned coffee, fascinating history and much more. Ethiopia bonus facts often include its incredibly diverse landscape, history, and culture.
Why is Ethiopia so famous? ›
Ethiopia is famous for being the place where the coffee bean originated. It is also known for its gold medalists and its rock-hewn churches. Ethiopia is the top honey and coffee producer in Africa and has the largest livestock population in Africa. Ethiopia has ties with the three main Abrahamic religions.
Who is Ethiopian hero? ›This is the story of one Ethiopian officer who won a US gallantry award. In 1951, the Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie, decided to send thousands of troops to fight as part of the American-led UN force supporting South Korea against the communist North and its ally, China.
Is Ethiopia rich or poor? ›With about 115 million people (2020), Ethiopia is the second most populous nation in Africa after Nigeria, and still the fastest growing economy in the region, with 6.3 percent growth in FY2020/21. However, it is also one of the poorest, with a per capita gross national income of $890.
Is there a billionaire in Ethiopia? ›Mohammed Hussein Ali Al-'Amoudi (Arabic: محمد حسين علي العمودي; Amharic: መሀመድ ሁሴን አሊ አላሙዲ; born 1946) is a Saudi billionaire businessman. He was born in Ethiopia in 1946 to a Yemeni father from Hadhramaut and an Ethiopian Muslim mother.
Who is the youngest millionaire in Ethiopia? ›Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu (born 1980) is an Ethiopian businesswoman, founder and executive director of soleRebels, Africa's "fastest growing footwear company".
Who is the first singer in Ethiopia? ›The life and work of Azmari Tèssèma Eshèté, the first Ethiopian singer to record commercially, includes interviews with Yidnèkatchèw Tèssèma.
Who is the king of Ethiopian music? ›Tilahun Gessesse is indisputably the king of Ethiopian Music.
Who is the first Ethiopian rapper? ›1. Lij Michael. Lij Michael, also known as Faf is considered one of Ethiopian Hip Hop's first initiators.
Who is the King of YouTube? ›Ten-year-old Ryan Kaji and his family have turned videos of him playing with toys into a multimillion-dollar empire. Why do so many other kids want to watch?
Who is the king of YouTube rapper? ›Love him or hate him, NBA YoungBoy is one of the most beloved acts in Hip-Hop right now. The unconventional rap upstart has quickly built a cult following and proven himself to be an unstoppable force in the music industry.
Who is the biggest rapper on YouTube? ›
- Eminem — 4.39 billion.
- Doja Cat — 4.19 billion.
- Drake — 3.06 billion.
- Lil Nas X — 3 billion.
- Juice WRLD — 2.58 billion.
- 2Pac. Tupac Amaru Shakur also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. ...
- Eminem. ...
- The Notorious B.I.G. ...
- Jay-Z. ...
- Nas. ...
- Rakim. ...
- Kendrick Lamar. ...
- Lil Wayne.
#1 Jay-Z. Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, hails from NYC, a fact he raps about consistently over the course of his nearly three-decade career. He quickly rose to fame in the mid-1990s when he released his debut studio album, Reasonable Doubt, from his own record label Roc-A-Fella Records.
Who is the top 5 richest rappers? ›Chance The Rapper has been dubbed the goat of rap by Drake. This assertion has been made by The Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, and Lil Baby. Do they have a point? To be clear, G.O.A.T. is for best of all time, therefore “greatest” when it comes to rappers means talents, longevity, as well as importance.
Who is the fastest rapper in the world 2022? ›Twista - 10.87 syllables per second
He is the fastest rapper in 2022. He was previously known as Tung Twista, and he started rapping at 12. Before starting his professional music career, he sold shoes and worked as a security guard.
A first-generation American and son of immigrants, Aminé wears his identity with pride. “I think about it a lot,” he says. “I'm personally so proud to be a first-generation Eritrean-Ethiopian.
What is J Cole ethnicity? ›Jermaine Lamarr Cole was born on January 28, 1985, at a U.S. Army base in Frankfurt, then in West Germany. His father, an African American soldier, left his mother, a white German postal worker, when Cole was a baby.
What is ASAP Rocky race? ›His father is from Barbados. He has an older brother and an older sister, Erika. Both Rakim and Erica's names are taken from the Eric B. & Rakim duo. His cousin is fellow ASAP Mob member ASAP Nast.
What is amine real name? ›How old is amine? ›
Where did amine get his name? ›The pseudonym is just a nickname from his aunt, which stems from his birth name: Saaheem. Sometimes it's said more like "suhbaby," but the Atlanta rapper confirmed to Ebro that it's "sah-baby."
How much is Drake net worth? ›| Name | Aubrey Drake Graham |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 24, 1986 |
| Birth Place | Toronto, Canada |
| Star Sign | Scorpio |
What is Kendrick Lamar's net worth? Kendrick Lamar is an American rapper who has a net worth of $75 million dollars. He is one of the most popular and highest-paid rappers on the planet.
What is J. Cole 2022 worth? ›As of September 2022, J Cole's net worth is estimated to be $60 Million. Jermaine Cole, known by a mainstream audience as J. Cole, is an American rapper, singer, and producer.
Is Rihanna married to ASAP Rocky? ›"Rihanna is single," the insider told E! News. "She just got out of a long intense relationship with Hassan. She's wants to be single and isn't going to jump into something. She's hanging out with ASAP Rocky, but she is not dating him."
How rich is ASAP Rocky? ›...
ASAP Rocky Net Worth.
| Net Worth: | $10 Million |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m) |
| Profession: | Rapper, Record producer |
| Nationality: | United States of America |
No, Rihanna and ASAP Rocky did not get married. A source close to the couple confirmed this to TMZ. The source claimed the whole thing has been done for fun. In one of the interviews, Rihanna revealed that she and ASAP Rocky became close during the pandemic.