Elias Melka

Last updated

Elias Melka
Elias Melka.jpeg
Elias at his studio
Background information
Born(1977-12-10)10 December 1977 [lower-alpha 1]
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Died4 October 2019(2019-10-04) (aged 41)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Occupation(s)
Years active19982019
LabelsBegena Studio
Website www.eliasmelka.tk

Elias Melka Geresu ኤሊያስ መልካ ገረሱ (10 December 1977 4 October 2019) was an Ethiopian record producer and songwriter. Elias became popular after successfully composing Teddy Afro's debut album Abugida, which was released in 2001. Elias has composed more than forty studio albums and has worked with many influential singers in modern Ethiopian music history. [2] Until his death on 4 October 2019, he had played a crucial role in the Ethiopian music industry. [3]

Contents

Biography

Early life

Elias Melka was born in Sebategna, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to his father Melka Geresu and his mother Atsede Feleke and raised in Abinet, Addis Ababa. [3] [4] Elias was born to a Protestant family, and this led him to becoming a member of church choir. This instilled in Elias a great passion of music, and he left the church after grasping typical knowledge on composing music. After this, Elias proceeded on his journey and went to join Yared Music School, which is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, majoring in cello, piano and the traditional instrument kirar. [5]

Career

Elias was believed to be the first person to introduce the practice of studio music production in Ethiopia. [6] Some of the artists whose albums were composed by Elias are Teddy Afro, Gossaye Tesfaye, Mikaya Behailu, Eyob Mekonnen, Zeritu Kebede, Tigist Bekele, Haile Roots, Gete Anley, Berry, and Leul Hailu. Elias was also a leader in taking social responsibility, having produced more than half a dozen singles that deal with HIV/AIDS and traffic accidents and others. These songs made by himself and collaborated with others greatly helped the effort to educate people about these societal dangers. [2] From those, "Ashkerkir Rega Bileh" and "Mela Belu" are the priors.

Music passes through all its glory through Elias

His last works were tended to allegedly Biblical incitation artistic works. These are the song entitled "yenem ayn aytual" by Zeritu Kebede and a choir titled "nur batamnm". There are also many other songs which played by famous Ethiopian artists, namely: Eyob Mekonnen, Zeritu Kebede, Haile Root, Leul Hailu, Gete Anley, and Berry. Elias was successful and known to nurture new musicians and improve the singing style of notable ones. [3]

Bands

Zion religious music band was Elias' first band, he left religious band Zion and joined Medina Band and played guitar in this band and then joined Zema Lastas, Afro Sound bound and Demera Band. [2]

Award

Elias has won four great awards in Ethiopia, the first of which is WIPO's International Award which was given to Ethiopian musicians, the second one which was an award given to him for composing different Kunama songs, [5] [2] the third one was given by the Fana Broadcasting Corporate, local broadcasting media, as a Life Time Award, [8] and the last one was by Addis Music Award, for extra effort he put for Ethiopian music at all. [9]

Understanding the unprofitable nature of the music industry in the country of Ethiopia, Elias has exerted extra efforts to ensure the national system that enables the artist to get its share from their songs and it is known as Awtar Music Application. [3]

Death

Melka, having struggled with diabetes and kidney complications, died on 4 October 2019. [2] Following this, people showed their condolences through different social media; among them singer Teddy Afro on his Facebook said "I would like to express my deepest condolences on the death of our beloved composer, Elias Melka. Elias will always be remembered above the grave for his career in music and his works of art. I sincerely hope that the Almighty God may place his soul in heaven and give comfort to all his fans, friends, relatives and colleagues." [10] The Mayor of Addis Ababa Takele Uma Banti expressed his condolences on Twitter said "Saddened to learn the passing of renowned lyricist and composer, Elias Melka. We lost a talented and influential figure in the music industry. My condolences to his family and fans." [11]

Notes

  1. ታህሳስ 1 1970 in Ethiopian calendar converted to Gregorian calendar 10 December 1977. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addis Ababa</span> Capital and largest city of Ethiopia

Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. In the 2007 census, the city's population was estimated to be 2,739,551 inhabitants. Addis Ababa is a highly developed and important cultural, artistic, financial and administrative centre of Ethiopia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tilahun Gessesse</span> Ethiopian singer (1940–2009)

Tilahun Gessesse was an Ethiopian singer regarded as one of the most popular Ethiopian artist of the 20th century. Noted by his tenor voice, he was nicknamed "The Voice" during his country's "Golden Age" in the 1960s. Tilahun was an eminent singer whose works are attributed legacy to Ethiopian music. Besides his popularity, he raised money for aid during the famines of the 1970s and 1980s and earned the affection of the nation, being awarded a doctorate degree by the Addis Ababa University and also winning a lifetime achievement award from the Ethiopian Fine Art and Mass Media Prize Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coalition for Unity and Democracy</span> Former political coalition in Ethiopia

The Coalition for Unity and Democracy, commonly referred to by its English abbreviation CUD, or occasionally CDU, was a coalition of four existing political parties of Ethiopia which combined to compete for seats in the Ethiopian General Elections held on May 15, 2005, and around the end of that year, became a full-fledged political party. Its leader was Hailu Shawul and the political party was dissolved in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teddy Afro</span> Ethiopian singer-songwriter (born 1976)

Tewodros Kassahun Germamo, known professionally as Teddy Afro, is an Ethiopian singer-songwriter. Known by his revolutionary songs and political dissent sentiment, Teddy is considered one of the most significant Ethiopian artists of all time. Teddy has had a huge cultural impact on the Ethiopian music industry and has been a big influence on many young artists.

Kuku Sebsibe is an Ethiopian singer. She generally performs with synthesizer and drum machine accompaniment, occasionally with the addition of traditional instruments such as the krar or other instruments such as the electric guitar. While she uses modern instruments and harmonies, her vocal style is essentially traditional, using modes such as tizita.

Ashenafi Kebede was an Ethiopian composer, conductor, ethnomusicologist, historical musicologist, music educator, novelist, and poet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belay Zeleke</span> Ethiopian military commander (1912–1945)

Belay Zeleke was an Ethiopian military commander who led the Arbegnoch resistance movement in Gojjam against the Fascist Italians during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia from 1936 to 1941. He emerged as a brigand leader after his five-year struggle against Italian rule in Ethiopia.

Walias Band were an Ethiopian jazz and funk band active from the early 1970s until the early 1990s. Formed by members of the Venus Band, Walias backed up many prominent singers with a hard polyrhythmic funk sound influenced by western artists like King Curtis, Junior Walker and Maceo Parker. In 1977 they recorded one of the few albums of Ethiopian instrumental music in collaboration with vibraphonist Mulatu Astatke, whose role as a bandleader and composer was also a major influence on Ethiopian popular music.

<i>YAnbessaw Tezeta</i> 2012 studio album by Getatchew Mekuria, The Ex and friends

Y'Anbessaw Tezeta is the second studio album by Ethiopian tenor saxophone player Getatchew Mekuria in collaboration with Dutch punk rock band The Ex and several other musicians. The title is Amharic for "The Memory of the Lion" and Mekurya intended the record to mark the closure of his 65-year career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyob Mekonnen</span> Ethiopian reggae singer and songwriter (1975–2013)

Eyob Mekonnen Yalem was an Ethiopian reggae singer widely considered as progenitor of reggae music in Ethiopia. His songs were well known for their themes of "love, understanding, and respect".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vahe Tilbian</span> Ethiopian-Armenian singer

Vahe Tilbian is an Ethiopian singer of Armenian descent. A solo artist, he became lead singer for the Ethiopian group Zemen Band. He released his debut solo album Mixology in 2012. He was part of the pan-Armenian music formation Genealogy who represented Armenia in Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Face the Shadow" finishing 16th overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zeritu Kebede</span> Ethiopian singer and actress (born 1984)

Zeritu Kebede is an Ethiopian singer, songwriter, and actress. A prominent figure in modern Ethiopian music, her songs often incorporate rock and gospel music.

Bruktawit Getahun, better known by her stage name Betty G, is an Ethiopian singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamuzu Kassa</span> Ethiopian musician (born 1990)

Kamuzu Kassa is an Ethiopian composer, songwriter and producer. Kamuzu started his career composing spiritual songs, but when he composed music for Kako Getachew in 2007 he joined the secular world of music and became a public figure. Following this, Kamuzu composed music for Ethiopian artists Hamelmal Abate, Surafel Abebe, Jalud Awol, and many others.

Hailu Kebede is foreign affairs head of Salsay Weyane Tigray, an opposition party in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Native from Togogwa, he publicly denounced the Togogwa bombing during the Tigray War and alerted the international media Hailu Kebede was arrested in Addis Ababa by the Ethiopian authorities on 13 August 2021. He is as a political prisoner as of 16 August 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menelik Wossenachew</span> Ethiopian singer (1940–2008)

Menelik Wossenachew was an Ethiopian singer who was known for his famous singles "Fikir Ayarejim", "Sukar Sukar" "Teyaqiyew Biaschegregn " and later "Gash Jembere".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tikur Sew (song)</span> 2012 single by Teddy Afro

"Tikur Sew" is a song by Ethiopian singer-songwriter Teddy Afro from the album of the same name. Released on 21 April 2012, the song served as header of the album and emphasized about Ethiopian sovereignty during the Battle of Adwa, a 1896 war between Ethiopia and Italy.

Michael Taye, also known by stage name Lij Michael or Faf, is an Ethiopian rapper. Considered as "King of Ethiopian rap", he was prominent in the Ethiopian hip hop music culture.

References

  1. "ኤልያስ መልካ ሲታወስ". amp.dw.com. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Elias Melka: Great Music loses of 2012". Awtar Music. Awtar Music. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Ethiopian musical arrangement history, Elias Melka's timeless deed". Ethiopian Press Agency. The Ethiopian Herald. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  4. "የኤሊያስ መልካ የህይወት ታሪክ". Youtube. Mengoal Tube. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Bio". musicinafrica.net. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  6. "ELIAS MELKA, ETHIOPIA'S LEGENDARY MUSIC COMPOSER". addisinsight.net. Addis Insight. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  7. "የኤልያስ መልካ የቀብር ሥነ ሥርዓት ሰኞ ይፈፀማል". BBC News አማርኛ (in Amharic). Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  8. "የፋና ቲቪ የሙዚቃ ውድድር አሸናፊዎች". Youtube. Fana Television. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  9. "የ 10 ኛው አዲስ ሚውዚክ አዋርድ የሽልማት ስነስርአት ሙሉ ፕሮግራም The 10th Addis Music People Choice Award Full Ceremony". Youtube. Netsebraq Media - ነፀብራቅ ሚዲያ. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  10. "Teddy Afro Condolence to Elias Melka's Death". Facebook. Teddy Afro. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  11. "Saddened to learn the passing of renowned lyricist and composer, Elias Melka". Twitter. Takele Uma. Retrieved 27 December 2020.