Zeritu Kebede

Zeritu Kebede (born February 19, 1984 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) is an award-winning Ethiopian singer, songwriter, actress, screenwriter, and philanthropist widely celebrated for her powerful vocals, dynamic songwriting, and cultural influence in modern Ethiopian music and film. She has been active in the entertainment industry since the early 2000s and is recognized as one of Ethiopia’s most influential contemporary artists.

Zeritu grew up in the Gulele area of northern Addis Ababa and developed an early love of music, influenced by a rich variety of Ethiopian and international artists from her parents’ record collection. Her passion for performance emerged during her school years, and she first appeared on stage as a fifth-grader, singing Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There”.

Her professional music career began after high school when she joined live bands and later entered the studio to record her debut album. In September 2005, Zeritu released her self-titled album Zeritu, which included major hits like “Endaygelegne” and “Deg Abate Kifu Balua” and quickly became one of the most successful and defining albums in Ethiopian popular music history.

Over the years, she has continued to evolve her sound, blending rock, pop, gospel, R&B, soul, and Ethiopian traditional elements. She is known for her emotional range and musical versatility, from heartfelt ballads to socially conscious anthems.

In addition to her singing career, Zeritu has made significant contributions to film and acting and has been honored with awards, including Best Actress at the 5th Guma Awards for her performance in the film Taza. She is also a songwriter and screenwriter, further extending her creative impact across Ethiopian arts and culture.

Zeritu is actively involved in philanthropy and social advocacy, participating in public awareness campaigns including those addressing HIV/AIDS, maternal health, and youth empowerment. She has collaborated with organizations like UNICEF, using her art to amplify messages of social importance.

Her personal life has been marked by both joy and sorrow; she has been married to Lakachew Mengistu since 2005 and is a mother. In 2024, she experienced the tragic loss of her eldest son.