A 1997 homecoming at the Addis Ababa airport saw thousands of fans gather to greet Aster Aweke after her fifteen-year residence in the United States. Since beginning her solo career in 1977, the singer-songwriter has maintained a significant presence in the global music industry while bridging Ethiopian traditional sounds with international pop and soul influences.
Early Development in Ethiopia
Born in Gondar in 1959, Aster moved to Addis Ababa as a child. Her father served as a senior civil servant within the imperial government of Haile Selassie. Despite familial disapproval of a musical career, she pursued her ambition by joining the Hager Fikir Theatre at age thirteen. During her teenage years, she performed across various clubs in Addis Ababa, collaborating with established musical groups such as the Shebelle Band, Roha Band, Ibex Band, and the Hotel D'Afrique Band. Her musical foundation was built by listening to local artists like Tilahun Gessesse and Bizunesh Bekele, alongside American vocalists Donna Summer and Aretha Franklin.
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Take the IQ test →Relocation and International Exposure
In 1981, Aster relocated to the United States, spending time in the San Francisco Bay Area before settling in Washington, D.C. two years later. Her American tenure included a brief period of study at Northern Virginia Community College, where she focused on computer science and formal musical education. During this time, she performed in local clubs and restaurants to sustain her career. Her international profile expanded significantly when the British independent label Triple Earth released her music in 1989, leading to a major-label debut titled Aster, issued by Columbia Records in 1990.
Return and Continued Artistic Output
Returning to Ethiopia in 1997, she established her own recording studio, Kabu Records. This phase of her career produced numerous albums, including Hagere in 1999, Sugar in 2001, Aster Ballads in 2004, Fikir in 2006, and Checheho in 2010. Beyond recording, she operated a cafeteria in Addis Ababa named Kabu until its closure in 2015. Her creative work continued into the 2020s with the release of the collaborative album Soba on 3 January 2023, and the album Gela Gela, which debuted at the Sheraton Addis on 7 July 2026.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, Gondar, Ethiopia
- Citizenship: Ethiopia
- Occupations: Singer, artist, musician
- Positions held: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
- Notable Studio: Kabu Records
- Debut Year: 1977
- Key Album: Aster (1990)
Questions readers ask
Did Aster Aweke receive formal musical training?
Yes, she briefly attended Northern Virginia Community College to study music, though she expressed a distaste for the formal education process.
What bands did she perform with in Addis Ababa?
She performed with the Shebelle Band, Roha Band, Ibex Band, and the Hotel D'Afrique Band.
