Every year I do this thing where I inflict pain upon myself by “selecting” and “ordering” my favorite songs of the year. I’ve been doing it since 2011 but have been selecting my favorite ~Ethiopian ones since 2015. It has now become a sadistic tradition of mine and one I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon, really!
Before starting this blog, the home for my selecta~ aspirations has been Tumblr or HabeshaLA.com. Since I insist on thinking about and sharing my favorite songs, I figure this blog will also serve as a home for my picks. My disclaimers always go as such: these songs are (some) of MY favorites, packaged to fit a pretty number (30 seems to be it this year); they are based on mostly superficial sources (deep cuts don’t always make my lists though they definitely have/do); and my sourcing stems from the Internet, mostly (Hope Entertainment, Oromp3, Arif Zefen, Minew Shewa, etc etc). After sorting through a year’s worth of songs (which were uniquely filled with Dr. Abiy tributes and Addis-Asmara love songs) and some deliberation, here’s a non-all-encompassing list of my favorite songs of 2018 (which could look different tomorrow)!
30. “Yebet Sira” – Bisrat Surafel
Though the lyrics suggest otherwise, Yebet Sira is so feel-good. It’s fun to passionately yell the lyrics, as they are a complete MOOD. Basically, this song is almost entirely here on the strength of lyrics: “betin betin, ende Telat genzeb”. (I will say I was torn between having this, the best effort from an Ethiopian at the trap game from certain swaggy rapper and a few other great, amazing songs as my #30).
29. “Wuey Seyab” – Aregawi Tesfay
I’m a sucker for traditional-sounding Tigrinya! The switch-up alone at 4:02 warrants a place on this list.
The lyrics make me chuckle but I suppose identification by your man is one mark of love <3. Weeha’s voice rides this airy beat so well!
A fan of this song for its vocal and music-video theatrics!
The first one of my many favorites from Rophnan, whose album was one of the only ones I actually bought this year. The song is electrifying from the jump and inspires one to just move. Major Lazer recognized this as well, including the song in this year’s Major Lazer Afrobeats Mix album.
25. “Hundan Siibitan” – Jirenya Shiferaw
I wanted so badly for more Oromo bops to be among my favorite songs from this year
(here, here, here, here, and here are some that I really liked). Jirenya’s song stood out from the rest for its laid-back charm.
24. “Na” – Mahlet Gebregiorgis
Firstly, y’all know how much I adore bilingual songs. Mahlet went awf, showing us a multidimensional her and giving us a breezy love song.
23. “Ati Shikorina” – Kinfe Gebregergis
See #29, but x100000. The ultimate dance song–just when you think its reached its apex, it keeps going!
22. “YeCheneke Elet” – Dagne Walle
Dagne has one of my favorite voices in Ethiopian music (I love me a good azmari-type of voice), and is the creator of one of my favorite Gojam songs ever; this soul-stirring theme song of sorts takes cues from the “zerraf” genre!
Such an epic interpretation of Oromo beats.
20. “Zomawa” – Hahu Beatz and Selamawit Yohannes
Hahu Beatz and Selamawit DID THAT. Their musical chemistry is unmistakable and the beat is fun but I especially rate this song because of the switch-up at 2:56~
19. “Abaya” – Netsanet Sultan feat. Sami Go
Afrobeats-tinged music has officially made its way over to the East coast. This song is still uniquely Ethiopian and highlights a region beautifully in its music video and performance.
This was a good year for women in Tigrinya music! While I don’t speak the language, Lord knows that doesn’t stop me from fervently singing along like I just knowww it applies to me—this is one of those songs.
Inspiring, innovative, and a breath of fresh air. And the lyricsss! The whole thing is simply a vibe.
16. “Belu Enji” – Abenet Demissie
A cover that is all-parts soulful and Abenet’s own; her voice carries the song and lends itself well to a beloved era in Ethiopian music.
Mikiyas sang the heck out of this song and besides the heartwarming lyrics, it’s his sincere delivery that makes it so lovely.
14. “Negeru Endet New” – Merewa Choir
Kana Television showed this song major love by featuring it in damn near every commercial in early 2018, and deservingly so. This acapella group is a welcome addition to the music scene in Ethiopia and their cover of Kuku Sebsebe’s song is fresh and earnest.
13. “Banchi Aymtu” – Nhatty Man
What could sound borderline territorial is actually kind of endearing if you have Nhatty Man singing it.
Typical Dawit Nega doing Dawit Nega things aka making bangers.
11. “Akuaye” – Alemye Getachew
I don’t think any other song this year made me dance more! And the video is just as memorable as the song!
10. “Ade Dorze/Gamo Dare” – Rophnan
The musicality is everything here as Rophnan expertly blends electronic music and traditional “Dorze” sounds in “Gamo Dare”.
9. “Yeblo” – Winta Birhane
Winta’s voice is super easy on the ear on this lovely single. Watch the video here (it cannot be embedded)!
8. “Bye Bye” – Heran Gediyon
As far as I know, this is Heran’s very first single and WOW, what a commanding one. Her voice is strong and emotive and certainly one that I look forward to hearing more of in the future!
7. “Sey” – Ephrem Amare
An INSTANT hit for me because of Ephrem’s emphatic voice and the sing-ability factor.
6. “Borom Borom” – Merkeb Baryagabir
I don’t know WHAT makes this song so enjoyable to me—is it the little twinkle~ production details? The incorporation of onomatopoeias? How lighthearted it is? The mid-song dialogue? We may never know! In any case, Merkeb is a true entertainer… big ups to him.
5. “Bado” – Nhatty Man
The people’s anthem that has everything—catchiness, a beat to dance to, and substantive lyrics. I stan! Fun fact: this song has been my ringtone for time now.
4. “Mahelando” – Etsegenet Hailemariam feat. Asge
Who knows whereee the “Shakira of Ethiopia” came from but her and Asge killedT it with “Mahelando”! The video is also an absolute vibe.
3. “Selam Alewa” – Mesfin Berhanu
7 minutes and 16 seconds of danceable goodness that remarkably gets better the longer you listen to it!
2. “Teshenfialehu” – Mulualem Takele & Ephrem Amare
As aforementioned, I love me a bilingual song and one that’s a duet is even better! Everything about this upbeat song (which is questionable lyric-wise but whatever) just warms my heart.
1. “Yemegemeriyaye” – Nhatty Man
I can’t say enough about my favorite song of the year so I won’t even start! All the feelings encapsulated in this are so PALPABLE; it’s like sunshine in a song! I can’t go without also shouting out Nhatty’s voice in this, which is amazing. Everything is everything (word to Lauryn Hill) <3
