Meklit is an Ethio-American vocalist, songwriter, composer and cultural activist, making music that sways between cultures and continents. Known for her electric stage presence, innovative take on Ethio-Jazz, and her emotive live shows, Meklit has rocked stages from Addis Ababa (where she is a household name) to San Francisco (her beloved home-base), NYC, London, Montreal, Nairobi, Rome, Zurich, Helsinki, Rio, Cairo, and more.
Meklit is a National Geographic Explorer, a TED Senior Fellow and a 2019 Artist-in-Residence at both Harvard University and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. She has received musical commissions from Lincoln Center and the MAP Fund, and is a featured singer in the UN Women theme song. Her TED Talk has been watched by more than 1.2 million people, and her music videos air daily on Ethiopian National Television.
Meklit’s latest album “When the People Move, the Music Moves Too” (Six Degrees Records) reached #4 on the iTunes World Charts, #1 on the NACC World Charts and #12 on the World Charts in Europe. It was named one of the 100 Best Albums of 2017 by the Sunday Times UK, and one of the Best Soul Albums of 2017 by Bandcamp. Her latest album is scheduled to be released in March of 2020.
“Get into Meklit.” – VIBE MAGAZINE
“At the shining crossroads of two cultures, making truly moving music.” – POPMATTERS
“A visionary both on and off the bandstand…” – SAN FRANCISCO MAGAZINE