Zena: Future Sounds of Ethiopia – Anchi Bale Gamé (2025)
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Zena, the vibrant musical collaboration between keyboardist and synth player, Yohan Kebede of the London-based septet, Kokoroko, and British bassist and producer, Menelik, has become renowned for redefining the perimeters of ethio-jazz. The two musicians are united by their shared passion for Ethiopian heritage and music. Together, they are reimagining and refreshing the legacy woven by esteemed Ethiopian musicians such as Hailu Mergia, Alemayehu Eshete, and Mulatu Astatke, by merging Ethiopian musical tradition with London’s audacious modernity.
In a testament to their avant-garde thinking and creative prowess, Zena has made their official debut with the single, ‘Anchi Bale Gamé’ in 2025, which is a reimagining of the 1984 cult classic by Admas. In their rendition, Zena has preserved the spirit of the original while enhancing it with a more contemplative temperament heavily inspired by elements of alternative R&B, trip-hop and downtempo electronica.
Kebede explained their choice to lead with a cover in a statement, asserting that while an unconventional step, this cover is a strategic way to introduce their unique sound to the world through a song that already resonates with many. He expressed his hope that this inventive approach continues to define Zena’s musical journey.
Zena’s daring fusion of Ethio-jazz with modern vibes is reflective of the experimental ethos that propelled Kokoroko to fame. This award-winning group, heralded as “ones to watch” by The Guardian in 2019, has garnered international acclaim for their eclectic fusion of funk and highlife. With their track “Abusey Junction” gaining millions of views on YouTube and subsequently crowned the Track of the Year at Gilles Peterson‘s Worldwide Awards, Kokoroko has set a high bar for innovative music.
Riding high on their success, Kokoroko released their debut album ‘Could We Be More’ in 2022 which was later listed among the top ten jazz albums of the year by The Guardian. Their brilliance didn’t falter with their follow-up album, ‘Tuff Times Never Last’, released on 11 July 2025. Both albums are a testament to the group’s resilient spirit, reflected in their name, an Urhobo phrase meaning “be strong” or “hard to break”.
In the footsteps of pioneering groups like Kokoroko, Yohan Kebede and Menelik, through their project Zena, strive to bring the rich heritage of Ethiopian music to the broader music industry. Their bold rendition of ‘Anchi Bale Gamé’ showcases this vision and marks the beginnings of a groundbreaking expedition into the future of music.
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