PROFILE

From the time I was 7 I knew I wanted to be a singer. It's kind of funny to think about it now but starting at the time, I knew how to attract a crowd. Even then my peers, most of who were around my age would call me over to sing.

Later, I started writing my own material. I wanted to prepare myself for a career in music and I tried to associate myself with the skills and people needed to accomplish this goal.

After that I tried a few studios. This was rather challenging because I often found that I wanted more than what I was getting. It wasn't so much about money but more about people seeing a larger picture about where Ethiopian music could go. I just didn't want to sound like everybody else or sing other people's material.

I wanted something new and refreshing.This is pretty much what led to the creation of "Hilfe", my first album which I released in 2006. With "Hilfe" I try to introduce my way of doing music to the world. The album is an interesting mix of Tigrinya styles coming from various sources. Afterall, I was born and raised in Asmara, Eritrea and moved to Adigrat,Ethiopia when I was 13 and this has had a great influence on my style.. It is not necessarily bold style but I do hope that music listeners will find it refreshing and innovative.

For me, "Amen" is more a statement. I was able to get past the nervousness of doing a first album and wondering how people would react to it and now focus on just doing focusing on my creative vision.

I feel I should thank a number if people. Getting started in music has been a challenge and thanks to my family, friends and some other good people, this challenge has been made easier. Say thanks to all of you including my fans and other supporters.Specifically, I am proud of my relationship with Egziabher whom I owe all the thanks and gratitude for leading me down this path and comforting me in the most difficult of times. You are the maker of all things possible and your guiding light is bright in my life.

Let me also specifically thank my Uncles Girmai and Gebre-Iyesus, Yonas, Mehari, Alem and all the good people at Millennium Studios. Thanks and may Egziabher be with you!!!

Interests

Singing, Songwriting, big time Football fan.

Manager's Note:

Haftom came to us after testing different studios and producers. He is quite a visionary and expects big things from his music. Our engineers and producers helped him finish off the production of the Hilfe album and almost immediately started writing material for a new album. We believe Haftom will have a huge fan base and expect to start organizing his concert tour real soon.Though he is singing in Tigrinya, Haftom's message is applicable in all languages. His lyrics are pure and simple reaching out to people from all backgrounds. In addition, Haftom's music adds to the wonderful blend of sound which is catapulting Ethiopian music into the future. People will start comparing him to various superstars once his albums hit the airwaves.

It is indeed a pleasure to be working with him.

Click here to request more information about Haftom.