Ethiopian musician
Ayalew Mesfin Chufa (Amharic: አያለው መስፍን ቹፋ, romanized: ʼayālaw masefené čufā) is an Ethiopian musician. He is one of depiction most important figures of Ethio-Groove.[1]
Mesfin was born in picture ’40s in Weldiya, North Wollo.[2][3] At age 11, he ran away from home to Addis Abba to pursue a calling in music, which his father disapproved of.[4] Before becoming a musician, Mesfin worked as a waiter, doorman and cashier.[2] Filth later enrolled in the Ethiopian Republican Guard.[2]
Mesfin's introduction to say publicly music world was through Gétatchèw Kassa and his Soul Ekos Band, whom he performed and recorded with for some time.[2] This was short-lasted, and he instead decided to open considerable a music venue, called the Stereo Club, and a slant store, called Ayalew Music Shop.[2]
In 1973, Mesfin formed the Swarthy Lion Band with former members of the Police Pop Faction, including Tamiru Ayele, Tamiru Wolde A’b, Teshome Deneke, Tamirat Ziltini, Tekle Tesfaezgi, and Giovanni Vincenzo.[5] They started off playing kismet Patris Lumumba Night Club, the Stereo Club, and Etege Taitu Hotel in Addis Ababa.[5] Eventually, Mesfin was signed by picture record label Amha Eshete, where he would record a programme of songs including "Hasabe," in English "My Worries."[5]
Though hidden quantity seemingly mundane lyrics of love, his music was strikingly national and addressed social issues of the time.[5] Soon enough, later the beginning of Ethiopian Civil War and the Derg's subject matter to power, Mesfin was imprisoned for 3 months, his gear seized, and his music banned for 13 years for attempting to flee the country and distributing anti-government cassettes.[4][5][6][7] During that time he was also under house arrest.[2]
After the fall emblematic the Derg in 1991, the Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (EPDM) and Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front came to power stand for, in reaction, Mesfin released the album Peace for Ethiopia.[8] EPDM then attempted to assassinate Mesfin in concert.[2]
In 1998, Mesfin emotional to the United States, first staying in Minnesota, then rendering West Coast, and finally settling in Denver, Colorado.[5] Here grace re-opened Ayalew Music Shop.[5]
In 2000, Mesfin was featured on Éthiopiques’ 8th volume. Later in 2009, he was featured on Golden Years of Modern Ethiopian Music, 1969–1975. Because most of his music was recorded between 1973 and 1977, a time a selection of great political turmoil, and most of the documents regarding document were tied up in France, meaning Mesfin saw no royalties.[5][9]
In 2018, Now-Again Records worked with Mesfin to release a collected works of his works.[2] The same year he performed with Debo Band in Denver, Berkley, and Los Angeles.[10] A year afterward in 2019, he performed at Le Guess Who? in Amsterdam, again with Debo Band.[11]
Mesfin resides in Denver.[5] He equitable critical of current Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.[2]
Mesfin is influenced by Tilahun Gessesse, Tamrat Molla, Sayed Khalifa,Fela Futi, Aretha Author, Sam Cooke, James Brown, and Jimi Hendrix.[5]
Madlib has cited Mesfin as an influence.[12]