Lij Michael

Born on 19 February 1986 in Addis Ababa, Lij Michael — "Faf" for his fans — is one of the founders of Ethiopian hip-hop. At a time when rap in Amharic was almost not on the air, he imposed a rapid and technical flow that told the life of the capital's neighbourhoods.

With titles such as Mamaye, Alew Mesenqo or Ere Mela Mela, he brought traditional instruments — mesenqo, kebero — into modern trap and hip hop. His albums, from "Addad Arada" (2024) to "Kemen Lejemer" (2026), are all happy and proud chronicles of Addis Ababa.

A tutelary figure in the scene, Lij Michael continues to fill the rooms and carry the new generation. His name remains synonymous with Ethiopian urban celebration.

Biographie

Lij Michael (born 19 February 1986 in Addis Ababa) is an Ethiopian rapper who is considered to be the "King of Ethiopian Rap" and one of the pioneers of hip hop in his country. After a first single, "Arada L'arada", in 2007, he released his first album in November 2015, *Zaraye Yehun Nege* (15 tracks), hailed as one of the albums of the year, then shot in Europe and participated in the 4th season of Coke Studio Africa. His second album, *Atgebam Alugn*, appeared in February 2021, followed by the single "Alew Mesenko" in July 2023. He remained active in 2024: his third album, *Addis Arada*, was released in August 2024 on his YouTube channel, and he performed at the All Africa Festival that year.