Bole2Harlem | |
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Origin | Harlem, New York City |
Genres | Hip-hop, Ethiopian music |
Years active | 2005 | –2006
Past members | David "Duke Mushroom" Schommer Tigist Shibabaw Maki Siraj Davi Vieira Dave Eggar Henok Tenesgen Balla Tounkara Sam "Carpete" Effron Gregg Fine Khalid M'Zouz |
Website |
web |
Bole2Harlem was a musical collaboration that fused elements of Ethiopian music with American hip hop. Bole2Harlem released one album, Bole2Harlem, Volume 1, in 2006. David "Duke Mushroom" Schommer, a producer, songwriter, and percussionist, founded the group with Ethiopian singers Tigist Shibabaw (the late sister of singer Gigi) and Maki Siraj. [1] The project's name refers to Bole, a neighborhood in Addis Ababa (and the site of Bole International Airport), and Harlem, New York City, where Schommer and Siraj were residents.
The project has its roots in L'Orange Bleue, a New York cafe popular with African expatriates and where Schommer, Siraj, and Shibabaw would congregate. [1] Schommer had grown up immersed in Ethiopian culture: his father had helped establish a university in Ethiopia, [2] and consequently the family home was filled with Ethiopian art and stories. [3] Shibabaw and Siraj had made a recording after they met in 2005. Schommer, Shibabaw, and Siraj discussed an " Abesha MC" concept, with Shibabaw representing traditional Ethiopian styles (see Ethiopiques), and Siraj representing new musical trends. [4] Additional collaborators joined after hearing about the project through Schommer's other production activities. [4] Schommer and Siraj also trace the concept to the transit culture of Addis Ababa, where weyalas rapidly call out the destinations of share taxis (for example, "Bole, Bole, Bole, Bole..."). [4] Schommer describes the idea of taking a New York taxicab and suddenly placing it and its passengers in Addis Ababa (thus, "Harlem, Harlem, Harlem, Harlem..."). [4] The album cover art features a minibus similar to the vehicles used as share taxis. Tigist Shibabaw died in early 2008 in Bahar Dar, Ethiopia. [5]
(Duke Mushroom Presents) Bole2Harlem, Volume 1 | |
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Studio album by Bole2Harlem | |
Released | 2006 |
Recorded | Sounds of the Mushroom,
Harlem MacSound, New York City |
Genre | Hip hop, Ethiopian music |
Length | 58:15 |
Label | Sounds of the Mushroom |
Producer | Duke Mushroom |
Sounds of the Mushroom released Bole2Harlem, Volume 1 in June 2006. [6] White Swan Records reissued the album in June 2011. [7]
According to Schommer, the track "Hoya Hoye" exemplifies the crossing of Ethiopian and American cultures. He explains how the title is derived from a Halloween-like celebration, in which children chant "Hoya, hoye, HO, hoya hoye, HO" while clapping and pounding sticks (see Buhe). [3] [8] After hearing this chant sung in Addis Ababa, Schommer was further inspired by the beat of a hip-hop track he heard while walking through Harlem. [3] During this same walk, he also heard a Gospel choir singing as he passed a church, and decided to add the refrain ("Feeling all right!") to the song. The blues scale heard on the song is actually an abbreviated Ethiopian scale. [3]
The track "Bole 2 Harlem" appears on the compilation album Un Automne 2007. [9]
All Songs Written by:
Except: