Artist Eyob Mekonnen Zewde was born on October 21, 1974 from his father Ato. Mekonnen Zewde Yimenu and his mother W/ro. Amarech Tefera in Chenaqisen Gebriel in Jijiga town. After attending Jijiga Primary and Medium High School for his primary and part of his secondary schooling, Eyob moved for a few years to live with his father in Asmara, after which he returned to Jijiga to complete high school in his home town.
In 1998, at the age of 24, Eyob abandoned his then career as a photographer to move to Addis Abeba after meeting some individuals who were interested in bringing him to the capital city. After reaching Addis Abeba, he started his career as a vocalist at the Falcon Club which used to be located in Kazanchis.
From the time he started performing music until he released his first album in 2007, he was known for performing songs by other artists, including those of Ali Birra and Bob Marley whom he admired. In these years, he also traveled back and forth to Dubai.
In October 2007, Eyob released his first album Ende Qal. The album was filled with thoughtful and poetic lyrics about self-awareness, love, faith and hope, and performed mostly in a reggae style, as well as with some pop flavors. Soon after the album’s release, Ende Qal was embraced by a large fan base and his music enjoyed tremendous airplay, which it continues to do until now.
After the release of Ende Qal, Eyob travelled throughout Ethiopia and abroad promoting his music in Europe and North America, entertaining thousands of fans. Eyob was also a regular in many nightclubs in Addis Abeba, where he brought much joy performing his music to his adoring fans.
Eyob Mekonnen was currently working on completing his second album when he was suddenly taken ill on Tuesday August 13, 2013. On that day, Eyob collapsed in front of his house and was taken to St. Gebriel Hospital where it was understood that he had suffered a stroke and where he subsequently went into a coma. On Saturday August 17, 2013, with the financial and logistical support of his family, friends and fans, Eyob was flown to Nairobi, Kenya and was admitted at Aga Khan University Hospital for further investigation and treatment. Unfortunately, five days after he collapsed, Eyob passed away on Sunday evening, August 18, 2013 at the age of 38.
Eyob is survived by his wife, his daughter, his mother and his father.
Eyob Mekonnen was buried on Wednesday August 21, 2013 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Kidist Selaisse Cathedral) in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
Eyob was a dynamic, humble, kind and talented young man who made a tremendous mark in contemporary Ethiopian music. He will be missed. We wish all his family, friends and fans strength at this time.
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