IGITU
Singer · Songwriter · Actress · TV Personality
Ethiopia's Rising Star
Singer · Songwriter · Actress · TV Personality
Ethiopia's Rising Star
About
Songs that feel like Addis: rooted and restless at the same time.
Tigist Hailu, performing as Igitu (እግቱ), is an Ethiopian singer-songwriter, actress, and television personality based in Addis Ababa. She emerged onto the scene in 2018 with breakthrough single "Lebe Mala" (ልቤ ማላ, "My Heart's Desire"), a track that resonated across urban Ethiopia and the global diaspora, accumulating nearly 4 million views and establishing her as a powerful new voice in East African music.
Her compositions blend contemporary production with the emotional depth of Amharic storytelling, influenced by Ethiopian jazz traditions and the character of classical Ethiopian music. Her songs explore longing, romantic connection, personal aspiration, and the experience of navigating modern identity while honoring cultural roots. Her vocal style moves effortlessly from controlled studio precision to raw, unfiltered live intimacy, a quality that has become her artistic signature.
Since her breakthrough, Igitu has kept consistent momentum through collaborations and well-timed releases. Her 2019 feature on "30:40" with Ahadu showed her range as a performer across both intimate studio sessions and prime-time television. The 2023 release "Rega" (ረጋ, "Peace") proved her staying power, accumulating 2.2M+ views and dominating domestic airwaves with a more introspective direction. Her 2024 Home Concert series, stripped-back acoustic performances, showcased the raw vocal range and directness that have made her a regular on Addis Ababa's live circuit.
Her presence extends beyond music. As a judge and mentor on Demo Addis (Walta TV, 2024), she stepped into a cultural authority role, with her mentee going on to win the show's 2 million birr grand prize. Her recurring role in the prime-time drama Gizat (Abol TV) speaks to a crossover appeal that goes beyond her recordings. With close to 14 million combined views across music and television, she has built a lasting fanbase across Ethiopia, the diaspora, and the Gulf.
2018 — Breakthrough
Lebe Mala (ልቤ ማላ)
First single. Reached nearly 4 million views. Introduced Igitu to audiences across Ethiopia and the diaspora. Song title means "my heart's desire."
2019 — Collaboration
30:40 feat. Ahadu
Collaborated with Ahadu & Hotta Studio on this single. 600K+ views. Demonstrated her ability to work with other established artists.
2021 — Artistic Depth
Tidar (ትዳር)
700K+ views. Song title means "marriage" or "union." A deeply personal record that showcased her vocal range and cemented her as a versatile artist.
2023 — Critical Maturity
Rega (ረጋ)
Released July 2023. 2.2M+ views. Song title means "peace." More introspective production and lyrical approach. Proved sustained momentum and audience investment.
2024 — Broadcast & Mentorship
Demo Addis Judge (Walta TV)
Selected as judge and mentor on Ethiopia's music competition series. One of her mentees won the grand prize (2 million birr). Established her as industry authority and tastemaker.
2024–2025 — Crossover
Gizat (Abol TV)
Recurring role in prime-time drama series. 40+ episodes. Expanded her work into acting.
Reach & Impact
Music
Television
Judge and mentor on Ethiopia's premier music competition series — guiding emerging talent from auditions through to the finale. Her mentee won the 2 million birr prize.
7M+ cumulative views · 1.7M on the top video
Watch a Highlight
Significant recurring role across 40+ episodes of this 150-episode Ethiopian drama series — a major prime-time commitment.
First 5 episodes garnered 650,000+ cumulative YouTube views.
Watch Episode 4Live
Performing live every Monday night — an intimate weekly residency at one of Addis Ababa's premier lounges.
Press
BBC Amharic
5 Questions for Singers: Igitu among Ethiopia's Top Voices
BBC Amharic's "5 Questions" feature profiles Igitu alongside Ethiopia's leading singers — international editorial recognition of her place in the country's music landscape.
VOA Africa
Voice of America Features Igitu
Voice of America's Africa bureau features Igitu, placing her among the Ethiopian artists gaining recognition on the international stage.
Borkena
Igitu "Rega" — New Ethiopian Music
Borkena covers the release of Igitu's single "Rega", highlighting the track's rapid rise and its impact on the contemporary Ethiopian music scene.
Broadcast Appearances
A sought-after guest across Ethiopia's major broadcast networks — performing live and sitting for interviews that demonstrate her crossover appeal beyond music.
Arts TV World
Zikegnoch (ዚከግኖች) — Ep. 09
Performed on episode 9 of Zikegnoch, Arts TV World's music showcase series, tagged under the channel's #MuzikaHiwote programming strand.
Watch Performance
EBS TV Worldwide
Birtukane — Live Performance
Live performance of 'Birtukane' on Man Ke Man (ማን ከማን), the EBS TV Worldwide music show hosted by Mesay.
Watch Performance
Fana Entertainment
Lebe Mala (ልቤ ማላ) — Demo Addis
Performed 'Lebe Mala' on Demo Addis, Fana Entertainment's music and culture programme — the segment title described her as lighting up the stage.
Watch Performance
Mehon Records
Rega — Home Concert Session
Performed 'Rega' for Mehon Records' Salon Music Show — an intimate home concert format the label runs for music lovers.
Watch Session
Seifu Show — EBS TV
Guest on Seifu on EBS
Joined Seifu on EBS to talk about winning the Demo Addis competition alongside her mentee and the warm reception that followed.
Watch Interview
Kana Television
Lebe Mala — Live at Kana Studio
Performed 'Lebe Mala' on the premiere episode of Kana Jams, Kana Television's weekly Sunday night live music show.
Watch Performance
EBS TV — Ehuden Be EBS
30:40 Live feat. Ahadu
Performed '30:40' live with Ahadu on Ehuden Be EBS, the Sunday afternoon magazine show — the segment also covered the making of the track.
Watch Performance
EBS TV — Ehuden Be EBS
Tidar — Live Performance
Performed 'Tidar' on Ehuden Be EBS, the EBS Sunday afternoon show — the live performance aired as a standalone music segment.
Watch Performance
EBS TV Worldwide
Studio Interview — Ehuden Be EBS
Studio interview on Ehuden Be EBS touching on film offers, birthday celebrations, and life as a rising artist.
Watch Appearance
Abbay TV Entertainment
Washehu Ende? — Comedy Game Show
Appeared on Washehu Ende? (ዋሸሁ እንዴ?), Abbay TV's Sunday comedy game show — the episode's headline was about marrying a fan.
Watch Appearance
Fana Entertainment
Performance for African Leaders
Performed at a state occasion for African heads of state — broadcast by Fana/Walta, one of Ethiopia's official state media outlets.
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EBS TV Worldwide
Interview on 20-30
Personal interview on EBS TV Worldwide's 20-30 show — she opened up about her mother, regrets, and what she would change if she could.
Watch Appearance
AMN Entertainment
30:40 — Musicology with Henok Mehari
Her song '30:40' was featured and discussed on Musicology, a music commentary show hosted by Henok Mehari on AMN Entertainment.
Watch Appearance
EBC — FM Addis 97.1
Rega — Featured on FM Addis 97.1
Featured alongside 'Rega' on the closing segment of FM Addis 97.1, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation's flagship national radio station.
Watch AppearanceGallery
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As Seen On & Released With
