Gildo Kassa (born 6 April, 1995) is an Ethiopian dance music composer, songwriter, and singer. He is known for writing and producing songs for young artists, and is known for his 2019 single "Lageba New",[a] which was included on The songs that made Africa — and the world — dance in 2019, Al Jazeera.
Gildo Kassa | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 April 1995 Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia |
| Occupation | Dance music composer |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Organization | Shakura |
Early life
editGildo was born in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia. He got the name Gildo because of his first word as a baby, Gil - Gil, and this became Gil-do to mean "one who say gil - gil" in the Wolaytta language.[1] He was raised in a Protestant Christian family which strictly prohibited music. He was inspired by his older brother Kamuzu Kassa to go into music.[citation needed]
Career
editGildo has produced several hit songs, one being "Lageba New" featuring fellow musician Shakura.[2] Per The New Times of Rwanda, Gildo produced more than 300 singles, including more than 59 of his own songs.[3][4] As he stated in his interview with EBS TV's The Reggae and Afrobeat Music program, his first works were reggae songs by Jalud Awel: "Amta Chaweta" and "Dagos Yale Sitota". Kassa is well known for customizing afrobeat to the Ethiopian traditional music, specifically the Wolaita and Tigrigna styles, naming his style "Ethio-shake".[citation needed] The songs he composed and produced were top hits and were nominated in many Ethiopian awards. Among those Sancho Gebre's songs are "Atasayugn" and "Tanamo" to name a few.
He is among the Afrimma 2020 Nominees under the category of "Best Male East Africa". He was the only nominee from Ethiopia.[5][6] Aljazeera put his song "Lageba New" among the list of the songs that made Africa – and the world – dance in 2019.[7]
Notes
edit- ^ "Lageba New" is producer Gildo's first single as a singer.
References
edit- ^ "EBS TV 'Kidamen Keseat'". facebook.com. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
- ^ Isama, Antoinette. "The songs that made Africa – and the world – dance in 2019". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "The Ben, Sherrie Silver nominated for AFRIMMA 2020". The New Times | Rwanda. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "Gildo Kassa from Ethiopia". Popnable.com. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ Correspondent, Local (12 September 2020). "AFRIMMA 2020: Full List Of Nominations". ABTC. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Ezeh, Mario. "Afrimma 2020 Nominees". AFRIMMA. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ Isama, Antoinette. "The songs that made Africa – and the world – dance in 2019". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 19 October 2020.