Ayalew Mesfin

Ayalew Mesfin is a legendary figure in Ethiopia’s golden age of funk and soul music from the 1970s. A former police officer turned singer, songwriter, and bandleader, Ayalew became known for his fiery vocals, tight horn sections, and socially conscious lyrics. His music, often recorded with his band Black Lion Band, was a bold mix of traditional Ethiopian melodies fused with Western funk, soul, and jazz influences—part of the vibrant Ethio-groove sound that emerged during the Haile Selassie era.

Despite the political turmoil of the time and strict censorship under the Derg regime, Ayalew’s music became a voice of resistance and pride. For decades, his recordings were rare and largely unknown outside Ethiopia, but thanks to recent reissues by labels like Now-Again Records, songs like “Che Belew” and “Mot Aykerim” have found new audiences around the world. Today, Ayalew Mesfin is celebrated as one of Ethiopia’s most passionate and electrifying musical innovators.