Yosef Gebre is an Ethiopian singer. He is popularly known as Jossy. He is born June 16, 1981 in Dilla, Ethiopia.
Gebre was born in 1981 in Dilla, Ethiopia to Woizero Zermechi Argaw and Ato Gebre Sherga. He attended elementary school at the local Mekane Yesus School. After 6th grade, Jossy moved to Adama and attended the Nazreth #3 Elementary and Junior School. He then completed High School at Adama High School.
Jossy has been interested in music since childhood. He participated in different art projects while in elementary school. In Adama high school he worked as a school journalist and DJ presenting shows on the school PA system (known as Adama MiniMedia) during breaks. After completion of High School Jossy went into business following in the foot steps of his parents. During that time he spent his free time contributing pieces to different news papers and taking music lessons.
While taking music lessons, Jossy started networking with musicians. He also began exploring his potential as a vocalist during this period. Jossy released his first single titled "Kine" to the public via radio stations. The work was unexpectedly well received by the public.
Encouraged by this success, Jossy started pursuing a music career full-time since 2004. His single titled "Enja Yene" was his first release, complete with music video. In 2005, Jossy was nominated for the Kora All Africa Music Awards under the Most Promising Artist category. While all these were singles, he released his first album titled "Jossy", containing 13 tracks, in 2006. The album featured the song titled "Metahuwa".
In 2008, the music video titled "Bati be Jossy Mood" hit TV channel and online video sharing sites and immediately became a hit. This success was due to the combination of careful planning of its elements and proper and professional application of video effects and techniques.
Jossy creates most of his songs himself. He currently tours different cities all over the world.
Manalemosh Dibo was a young singer who’s popularity grew with each song she released. She wass particularly well-known for her traditional songs such as Asabelew, Awdamet, and Minjar.
Manalemosh passed away from natural causes, in 2009.
Tsehaytu Beraki (Sun Of Eritrea) is an absolutely legendary singer from Eritrea. Born in 1939 in Quatit, a small village, she soon picked up the krar (5-string harp) and after moving to the capital Asmara she became a famous singer in bars, to attract men to the local traditional beer houses.
Her courage and inspiration still mean a lot to all Eritreans. When the situation became too bad, she too had to flee into Sudan and in 1988 she ended up in Rotterdam, Holland.
"I found Tsehaytu by coincidence in Rotterdam, Holland, discouraged and not playing much anymore. I build her a new krar and after some practice sessions, we decided to record the CD together. There isn't really much Eritrean music recorded, from those days.
The songs are as authentic as possible, Tsehaytu playing all the instruments; the krar, kobero and bass-krar. To western ears it is largely unknown music.
These strange, beautiful rhythms and these moving, almost blues-like ballads. The 17 songs are from different periods of Tshehaytu¹s life. From the very first successes till brand new material, commenting on the latest. With many people involved, we worked for four years on the project, out of respect and love for Tsehaytu's music and person. She deserves to be well documented and remain remembered as a great musician.
The double CD, with more than two and a half hours of music, also includes a book with an incredible interview about her life, culture and history. It also contains many old photos and the lyrics.
I wanted to make this wonderful music available to the western music lovers, but of course I realize it is the heritage of Eritrean culture and I know how important Tsehaytu was for the Eritrean people, both young and old."
