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",[lower-alpha 1] which was included on The songs that made Africa — and the world — dance in 2019, Al Jazeera.

Early life

Gildo was born in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia. He got the name Gildo because of his first word as a baby was Gil - Gil, and this became Gil-do to mean "one who say gil - gil" in the Wolaytta language.[1] He was raised with in Protestant Christian which strictly prohibited music. He was inspired by his older brother Kamuzu Kassa to go into music.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Gildo has produced several hit songs, one of which 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 song by Jalud Awel: "Amta Chaweta" and "Dagos Yale Sitota". Kassa is well known by 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 hit and nominated in many Ethiopian awards. Among those Sancho Gebre's songs titled "Atasayugn" and "Tanamo" were a few.

He is among the Afrimma 2020 Nominees under the category of "Best Male East Africa". He is 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

References