- Source: Gildo Kassa
Gildo Kassa is an Ethiopian dance music composer, songwriter, and singer. He is known for writing and producing songs for young artists, and is known for his 2019 single "Lageba New", which was included on Al Jazeera's "ultimate year-end African music playlist" in 2019.
Early life
Gildo was born in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia. He got the name Gildo because of his first word as a baby, Gil - Gil, and this became Gil-do to mean "one who say gil - gil" in the Wolaytta language. He was raised in a Protestant Christian family which strictly prohibited music. He was inspired by his older brother Kamuzu Kassa to go into music.
Career
Gildo has produced several hit songs, one being "Lageba New" featuring fellow musician Shakura. Per The New Times of Rwanda, Gildo produced more than 300 singles, including more than 59 of his own songs. As he stated in his interview with EBS TV's The Reggae and Afrobeat Music program, his first works were reggae songs by Jalud Awel: "Amta Chaweta" and "Dagos Yale Sitota". Kassa is well known for customizing afrobeat to the Ethiopian traditional music, specifically the Wolaita and Tigrigna styles, naming his style "Ethio-shake". The songs he composed and produced were top hits and were nominated in many Ethiopian awards. Among those are Sancho Gebre's songs "Atasayugn" and "Tanamo".
He is among the Afrimma 2020 Nominees under the category of "Best Male East Africa". He was the only nominee from Ethiopia. Aljazeera put his song "Lageba New" on their ""ultimate year-end African music playlist" in 2019.
