Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Tsehay [1997] [ethiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

       Ejigayehu Shibabaw, Gigi as she is popularly known, is an Ethiopian singer who originates with her music in the ancient tradition of song in the Ethiopian Church. After she moved to the US where she recorded two albums, it was her self-titled album ‘Gigi’ (2001) with Chris Blackwell (Palm Pictures) and producer Bill Laswell that caused her international break-through. The album contains collaborations of musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Pharoah Sanders and harbours a fusion of contemporary and traditional sounds. The album generated controversy in her home country for such a radical break with Ethiopian popular music. 

       With Abyssinia Infinite containing virtuous African musicians such as Senegalese percussionist Aiyb Dieng, tabla-player Karsh Kale, Ethiopian saxophonist Moges Habte and Tony Cedras and Bill Laswell, Gigi released the album ‘Zion Roots’ (2003). To Ethiopians Zion as spoken of in the Bible, is Ethiopia. ‘Zion Roots’ thus implies music rooted deep in Ethiopian culture. The album was a return to a mainly acoustic sound, incorporating instruments such as the krar and the tabla, which where replaced by synthesizers and drum machines during the Derg regime, when musicians where imprisoned. 

        Gigi’s return to her family roots. Its lyrics are in Amharic and the rarely spoken Agewña , the language of Gigi's father's tribe. 

           Gigi also released ‘Illuminated Audio’ (2001), ‘Gold and Wax’ (2006) and ‘Mesgana Ethiopia’ (2010). 

    

       "I grew up singing in the Ethiopian Church, which is actually not allowed for women, but there was a priest at my home who taught me how to sing the songs. And I listen to a lot of West African music, South African music, hip hop, and funk, so you feel all that in the melodies. Even if it's in Amharic, people can appreciate this music." 

          
                             

       Fifth child in a family of ten, Ejigayehu "Gigi" Shibabaw was raised in a far-off hamlet by conscientious parents who'd turned their backs on the squalor of the city. Her family's life was directly dependent on the water from the river Ardi to irrigate their coffee plant crops. "I always knew I wanted to be a singer," she recalls. "We always had a lot of entertainment in my house. When people would come over, my parents would have the kids perform for them." 

        A loyal daughter with a rebellious streak -- some things truly are universal -- Gigi sought her artistic fortunes abroad when her tradition-minded father initially forbade her to make way in the world as an entertainer. Living first in Nairobi, Kenya, and performing with an Ensemble of East African expats, performing with an Ensemble of East African expats, Gigi returned to Addis Ababa, where she quickly established herself as a singer and songwriter to be reckoned with. 

       Cast in a French theatre production of the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, which featured an all-Ethiopian ensemble, Gigi toured East and South Africa, and eventually France, where she was invited to perform at a Paris World Music Festival. Seeing the world stage as her true home, Gigi relocated to San Fransisco at age 24. It wasn't long before her music, released for the local Ethiopian community, caught the attention of Chris Blackwell, Palm Pictures founder.

       Her music derives from celebrations of Genna (Ethiopian Christmas), when men and women used to assemble at her home for two months of feasting, games, and of course, zefen (songs) and chifera (group dancing). Her poetry is inspired by the land, by scripture, the ancient Ethiopian church, and the beauty of the Ethiopian civilization.

01. Gigi - Ya-batu (6:23)

02. Gigi - Africa (4:15)

03. Gigi - Yafaf'lie-Adey (5:56)

04. Gigi - Arattu-Berehi (4:38)

05. Gigi - Sahara Bereha (6:29)

06. Gigi - Addis-Addisoon (5:33)

07. Gigi - Manew-Lebae (6:11)

08. Gigi - Tsehay (5:20)

09. Gigi - Kemaru-Sitegn (7:11)

10. Gigi - Lebe-Tsenu-new (7:26)