Whether you know it or not, some of today’s biggest artists are of Ethiopian descent. 4-time Grammy winner The Weeknd recently dropped his sixth studio album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” which currently holds the title for the biggest debut this year. Getting her start in the underground was R&B and electronic maven Kelela, who’s a fixture in nightclub DJ sets. Rising artist Alemeda, who’s a new signee on Top Dawg Entertainment, proves that Black girls can rock, too.

Below, we explore five contemporary artists with deep roots in Ethiopian culture.

The Weeknd

Six albums into a historic career, The Weeknd is likely the most widely recognized artist of Ethiopian descent in the United States and has delivered classics ranging from his Trilogy mixtape era to commercial albums like his 2015 release “Beauty Behind the Madness.” 

Kelela

Over a decade apart from her emergence on 2014 mixtape “Cut 4 Me,” Ethiopian-American Kelela has stuck her claim in R&B, electronic and recently, jazz, releasing her first live album, “In the Blue Light,” earlier this month.

Mereba

Making her grand return on new album “The Breeze Grew a Fire,” R&B-soul vocalist Mereba, who’s of African American and Ethiopian descent, channels her Habesha roots on standout track “Heart of a Child.”

Chxrry22

Signed to The Weeknd’s XO Records, Ethiopian pop and R&B Chxrry22 singer has a dark feminine essence to her music, including her latest single, “Just Like Me.” The artist will be a supporting act on FLO’s AAA Tour beginning this spring.

Alemeda

Alternative rock artist Alemeda, who’s Sudanese-Ethiopian, hit the scene on 2023 single “Ur So Full of It,” and has most recently given us more angsty vibes on her 2024 EP “FK IT.”

Aminé

Rapper Aminé, who’s Eritrean and Ethiopian, brings the fun and eccentricity in his music, like his party-ready 2023 album with Kaytranada, titled “Kaytraminé.”