LinkUp October 2018 PDF

OCTOBER, 2018 ADDIS ABABA
15
Closeup: “Africa is not a coun-
try”. An inspiring interview with
Blackbusters
Rototom Sunsplash
Festival
Celebrating music in it’s multiplicity
of forms
Page 10
Building Addis Ababa

Looking into the lives of the forgotten
in Addis Ababa
Page 08
Fendika
The hub for nostalgic souls
Page 20
04 05 07
Editor’s Letter Thumbsup
Headsup
October Events
Calendar
08 12
10
Followup
Event Review
Building Addis Ababa
Photo exhibition by Emmanuel Eatup
Benoit
Restaurant Review
SO-YU Restaurant
Catchup
International Event
15
Rototom Sunsplash
20
Festival
Closeup
Interview With
Blackbusters 22 Reelup
Cinema Review
What’sup
Fendika Azmari Bet
From the
Editor
Despite the general belief, events that offer channels of emotional release and relaxation to societies is even more
important during times of communal and national political, economic and social changes. Besides this, events serve
as crucial platforms for formal and informal dialogues and debates on important societal matters out of which social
opinion is formed. LinkUp Addis, while strongly supporting the positive economic and political changes happening in
the country, it firmly believes that all stakeholders in the event organizing industry, public and private, should aim to
making events significant parts of social dialogues.
Eyob Workineh
Editor in Chief
Editor in chief: Cover Photo: Courtesy of Blackbusters

Eyob Workineh
eyob@linkupaddis.com
Marketing Director:
Eyasu Abdella
eyasu@linkupaddis.com
Creative Director:
Benny Yoseph
benny@linkupaddis.com
4 Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018

Headsup
OCTOBER2018
• Building Addis Ababa a photo exhibition by • Building Addis Ababa a photo exhibition by • Building Addis Ababa a photo exhibition by • Building Addis Ababa a photo exhibition by
Emmanuel Benoit Emmanuel Benoit Emmanuel Benoit Emmanuel Benoit
Alliance Ethio-Française, 09:00am Alliance Ethio-Française, 09:00am Alliance Ethio-Française, 09:00am Alliance Ethio-Française, 09:00am
• Africa Sourcing & Fashion Week • Africa Sourcing & Fashion Week • Africa Sourcing & Fashion Week • Africa Sourcing & Fashion Week
Millennium Hall, 09:30am Millennium Hall, 09:30am Millennium Hall, 09:30am Millennium Hall, 09:30am
• SIXTH STATISTICAL COMMISSION FOR • Change Maker • EAST AFRICAN GLOBAL MUSIC CAMPUS • AWIB’S MENELIKISH MEN WHAT DO MEN
AFRICA Zewdu Building, 06:00pm Goethe-Institut, 06:00pm THINK OF GENDER EQUALITY?
UNECA, 10:00am • College Expo • Abyssinia Roots Collective - a reggae world Mosaic Hotel, 05:30pm
1 2 3 4
Oromia caltural center, 02:00pm jazz concert
Alliance Ethio-Française, 08:00pm
• An Ethio-Jazz GIG • ART THERAPY
The African Jazz Village, 07:00pm Khul Holistic Development Center
• AFRICAN NUTRITION SYMPOSIUM Retina Bldg 9th floor, 02:00pm
Ethiopian Public Health Institute, 0200pm
5 6 7 8
• Blind Drawing - Workshop by Marta Roberti • Blind Drawing - Workshop by Marta Roberti • OKTOBERFEST 2018
Italian Cultural Institute, 09:00am Italian Cultural Institute, 09:00am Hilton Hotel, 06:00pm
• “ELAIZA” Live in Concert • Qwanqwa - an experimental traditional
Villa Verde, 07:00pm Ethiopian rock concert
9 10 11 12
• Building Addis Ababa a photo exhibition by • Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi- • Double cut! the great Italian jazz
Emmanuel Benoit tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary Italian Cultural Institute, 7:00pm
Alliance Ethio-Française, 09:00am painters • Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi-
• Art in Addis painting night Alliance Ethio-Française, 06:30pm tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary
The Valut, 03:00pm painters
• Ethiopreneur Alliance Ethio-Française, 09:00am
Sabegn, 03:00pm
• Black Bubbles party
13 14 15 16
Face of Addis, 07:00pm
• Reggae World Jazz Concert
• Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi- • Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi- • Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi- • Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi-
tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary
painters painters painters painters
17 18 19 20
• Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi- • Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi- • Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi- • Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi-
tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary
painters painters painters painters
• HERstories - a night of poetry and prose
showcasing the creative work of Ethiopian
women
21 22 23 24
• Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi- • Witnessing the piece - a collective art exhibi- • Meedo Afro Party Vo. 2 • Dula ena Goma - an exhibition where Skate-
tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary tion of upcoming Ethiopian contemporary Ambiance, 6:00pm boarding, Art, and Ethiopia meet
painters painters • Dula ena Goma - an exhibition where Skate- Ambiance, 9:00am
Alliance Ethio-Française, 09:00am Alliance Ethio-Française, 09:00am boarding, Art, and Ethiopia meet
Ambiance, 3:00pm
25 26 27 28
• Dula ena Goma - an exhibition where Skate- • Dula ena Goma - an exhibition where Skate- • Dula ena Goma - an exhibition where Skate-
boarding, Art, and Ethiopia meet boarding, Art, and Ethiopia meet boarding, Art, and Ethiopia meet
Ambiance, 9:00am Ambiance, 9:00am Ambiance, 9:00am
• Wine tateting class
Radisson Blu Hotel, 7:00pm
29 30 31
Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018 5
Thumbsup
Adriana Telles Ribeiro
Gallery Nightlife Adriana Telles
Name: Guramayne Art Center Name: Black Pearl Ribeiro is Cultural
Attaché at the
Focusing on modern contemporary An open-air bar with awesome design Embassy of Brazil in
Ethiopian artists, Guramayne Art Center made of local materials, Black Pearl hosts Addis Ababa. After
doubles as a gallery and community cul- some great DJs, and the occasional Sunday moving to Addis from
tural center in a charming historical house brunch party. Check out their Facebook New York two and
built in the 1900s, tucked away in the hills page for scheduled events. a half years ago, she
of Addis Ababa’s famed Sebba Dereja, or became addicted to
70 Dereja in Piassa. Underneath the gallery Facebook: www.facebook.com Ethiopian jazz and
some of Addis’s most up and coming artists Black-Pearl-Bar-Lounge arts and enjoys shar-
maintain their studios in live/work spaces. Tel: + 251 91 180 5382 ing information about
In October, Guramayne Art Center will host Location: Around Edna near Bemnet the cultural “hidden
a special group show called “Manifesto” - Restaurant flowers” of the city to
stay tuned for more info! Googlemaps? Yes promote its creative
industries.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/guramayne. Restaurant
artcenter Name: SO-YU Patties
Tel: + 251 911 702 953
Location: Piassa, Ras Mekonnen Bridge Just opened, SO-YU offers a Caribbean-
Tenagnework Street in front of Seba Dereja inspired menu with a wide variety of dishes
On Googlemaps? Yes including awesome patties baked daily,
loaded with meat or vegetables. The signa-
WorkHub ture “baked burger beef patty” is considered
Name: xHub Addis the evolution of the hamburger and is
quickly becoming a hit in Addis.
xHub is an initiative that incubates and
mentors young entrepreneurs to turn their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
ideas into businesses and services. At the SO-YU-Patties-2085705868422705/
hub, young entrepreneurs not only receive Tel: + 251 90 318 3066
logistical assistance such as internet access Location: Olympia, Ground floor of Homage
and working space as well as mentorship Hotel
from various professionals as they develop On Googlemaps? Yes
their ideas.
.
Website: www.xhubaddis.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/xhubaddis
Tel: +251 11 860 3298
Location: 5th Floor Morning Star Mall Bole
Medhanealem, Cameroon Street
On Googlemaps ? Yes

Looking into the
Lives of the Unseen
A Photography Exhibition by Emmanuel Benoit
Eyob Workineh
I n the bustling construction industry of

Addis Ababa where huge buildings for
hotels, malls and nowadays banks almost
EthioFrancaise on Monday, 24 September
2018. The event which was titled “Building
Addis Ababa” showcased the faces of
seem to spring to life in one night, it is numerous construction workers in a chain
common to see thousands and thousands of photographs. With the photographs,
of construction workers flocking into the Emmanuel did a wonderful job of taking a
construction sites every morning. In the deeper look into the facial appearances of
evenings of Addis, it is yet another common construction workers in a though provoking
sight to see tired, dusty faces leaving the manner.
sites with weary steps for where ever they Mr. Christian Merer, Director of Alliance
call home. As we step into young, shiny EthioFrancaise, started off the event with Emmanuel Benoit
malls that are filled with luxury brands and a speech. In his short speech, he marked
glossy items and as we admire the beauty the significance of noticing the poor lives
of the confident, luxuries building, few of we don’t notice in our day to day lives. “In
us care and pause to think about who the his photographs,” explained Mr. Christian,
people were who built this, where they “Emmanuel has made us notice what is
came from, where they are tight now and right in front of our eyes, but we fail to see.” “ the amount of con-
what kind of life they live. Explaining the social significance of the struction workers
event, Mr. Christian described the event “…as who are forced to
Caring and pausing to think about the poetical as political…” in the social challenge leave the indus-
lives of construction workers is exactly of recognizing the societal structures. try due to severe
what Emmanuel Benoit did in his photogra- The event, on its first day, was attended physical injuries is
phy exhibition that was hosted at Alliance by several people who were there to join alarming”

Photo By: Benny Yoseph
the challenge. Instead of just displaying the Emmanuel explains that when he returned “With their deeper
photographs, the organizers did a fairly nice to the sites where he took pictures a while look into society,
job of building a scenery to bring about the ago, he had frequently been told that the such events create
mood of a construction site. In relation to workers are no more in the business as they a fertile ground for
this, one corner of the gallery that had the face significant physical damages because dialogues”
yellow and green (The typical signal for con- of the intense physical work they do. In
structions sites in Addis) corrugated iron fact, the amount of construction workers
sheets was the highlight. Throughout the who are forced to leave the industry due to
event, the audience could be seen closely severe physical injuries is alarming. The fact
looking and examining the face in each that these people do not get enough med-
photograph. ical treatment due to their poor financial
Speaking about the process of collecting resources.
the photos, the photographer, Emmanuel, With their deeper look into society, such
explains that it took more than two years to events create a fertile ground for dialogues
collect the pictures. “It was hard to take pic- and thus pave the way for a richer inter soci-
tures of the people,” he explains, “One of the etal understanding. The only problem with
biggest challenges is the fact that most of such events is that they are not organized
the workers in construction sites are highly as frequently as they are needed. Asked
mobile. It usually is virtually impossible to for a hint about what is next, Emmanuel
find the same workers you found in one mentioned he plans to launch a photograph
site after a week or two.” In addition to this, project that analyses the societal makeup
in Ethiopia through its constructions.
Interesting!
Emmanuel Benoit is an Architect
of French Nationality with a strong
passion for Photography. He
has presented similar photo-
graph exhibitions in Thailand,
Bangkok and other cities.
Emmanuel has
made us notice
what is right in
front of our eyes,
but we fail to see.

ROTOTOM
SUNSPLASH FESTIVAL
Eyob Workineh
R ototom Sunsplash is a reggae festival in

Benicàssim, Spain. Inspired by the tra-
ditional Jamaican festival Reggae
musicians from across the globe on a
diverse and expansive lineup for the past
25 years. With stages committed
“workshops that
explore the wid-
er philosophy of
Sunsplash, the festival creates a to dancehall, dub, roots and reggae”
distinctly Caribbean music expe- “bringing up-tempo, an African village
rience in Europe. Celebrating together mu- that delves into the genre’s roots
and showcasing the music in its sicians from and a program of talks, activities
across the globe
multiplicity of forms, the festi- and workshops that explore the
on a diverse and
val’s lineup is consistently one wider philosophy of reggae, the
expansive line-
of the biggest and best on the festival is an extensive celebra-
up for the past
continent, placing reggae music tion of the genre and the culture
25 years”
veterans and icons alongside the that surrounds it.
scene’s newer generation. 2019 Rototom Sunsplash
The festival has offered reggae music festival is planned to happen August 16-22
fans the opportunity to featuring reggae artists from all over the
experience the continent.
genre in all its Ethiopia had played a special role
styles and in the ‘Celebrating Africa’ edition
forms, bring- in 2017. Rototom Sunsplash paid
ing together tribute to the African country,
Kabaka Pyramid
Performed at Rototom 2018
Photo: www.rototomsunsplash.com

considered the cradle of the Rastafarian
movement, by launching a new musical “Ethiopia had played a spe-
and cultural initiative called ‘Ethnopia’.
Ethnopia took the essence of the cial role in the ‘Celebrat-
Ethiopian culture through its music to
Benicàssim. Ethnopia allowed some of ing Africa’ edition in 2017.
the main Ethiopian reggae musicians and
artists to offer two special concerts on the
Rototom Sunsplash paid
festival’s Lion Stage on Saturday 12th and
Monday 14th August 2017. Jonny Raga,
tribute to the African coun-
Haile Roots, Sami Dan, Henok and Mehari
Brothers, Chelina, Tsedi, Ras Yohannes and
try, considered the cradle
Yohana were the music ambassadors from
Ethiopia.
of the Rastafarian move-
Fekat Circus has also played a great
role in representing Ethiopia at the biggest
ment, by launching a new
reggae festival in the world. They show-
cased their acts in the 2018 festival at the
musical and cultural initia-
African Village a stage mainly dedicated
to African acts.formal invitation letter to
tive called ‘Ethnopia’.”
facilitate the solicitation for such support.
All necessary forms and information are
available on the festival website.
Damian Marley
Rototom 2013
Photo: www.rototomsunsplash.com

So-Yu
Ephratha Kibru
N estled in a lane branching away from

the main Airport road, So-Yu restau-
Restaurant
the Veggie one. When they arrived, I imme-
diately noted their appealing golden color.
Opening Hours:
Sundays:
rant is a cozy little place for Caribbean They were neat and trim with a simplistic, 10:00am - 07:00pm
cuisine. Beckoning customers with the portable nature I was sure would be great Monday - Saturday:
motto on their sign, “Like you Like it”, it with kids. The patty was still warm from the 09:00am - 08:00pm
advocates Jamaican food tailored for oven and the smell was gripping- I couldn’t
Ethiopian buds. With an optional side of wait to dig in. The first taste had me taken Location:
Injera for every main dish and a choice aback; the beef filling wasn’t chewy and Olympia, Ground
of having Tibs as filling in their signature crunchy like I expected it to be. Instead, floor of Homage Ho-
Patties, the slight familiarity they offer it was a tender, almost creamy, substance tel, Addis Ababa
allows diners to experiment more willingly. that fired up my tongue with the herbs it
incorporated. The extremely soft and juicy + 251 90 318 3066
Stepping inside, I was immediately texture almost led me to believe it wasn’t
greeted by the only waitress at the joint. She meat. It was amazing! More so because I had
ushered me to a seat with a warm smile and never tasted anything like it before. I wasn’t
handed me the menu. As I looked it over, sure how the Veggie Patty would match up
I began to notice the soft Reggae and Soul but with its velvety texture and great consis-
music playing in the background. It aptly set tency, it offered a similar experience.
the mood for the afternoon. Noticing my clear enjoyment of her
For starters, I would be served their dish, the owner of So-Yu, Susanna Curtis, a
one-of-a-kind Patties. With 4 different alter- Jamaican native who came to Ethiopia with
natives in filling, I chose the Beef Patty and her family some years back, joined me with
“The patty was still warm

from the oven and the smell
was gripping”
Photo by: Benny Yoseph

Photos By: Benny Yoseph
my drink in hand. I would have the Sorrel My tarts then arrived, fresh from the
Juice- a popular beverage in the Caribbean oven. One was Banana and the other
and worldwide. “The Sorrel Juice originated Spice Pumpkin. The Banana tart was good
in West Africa but is now very much synon- enough with its simple, sweet taste but the
ymous with Christmas in the Caribbean,” Spice Pumpkin was definitely superior.
Susanna explains, “And although your drink There was just enough cinnamon to suffi-
is clean, in Jamaica, it is commonly served ciently flatter the pumpkin paste.
with Rum.” Made from the strained petals All in all a great dining experience, So-Yu
of the Hibiscus flower, the drink’s dark red Restaurant’s affordable prices, exception-
appearance commands attention. Taking a ally sanitary bathrooms, capable delivery,
sip, I perceived the uniquely sweet taste. It and warm customer service prove a great
wasn’t even close to becoming saccharine addition to their distinctive cuisine. It was a
and I finished it all too soon. definite hit.
Soon after, the Brown Stewed Chicken
made it to my table. I was almost afraid to
disrupt the rice in its lovely presentation
but curiosity won over visual aesthetic and
I proceeded to take the first bite. The soft
and juicy chicken was bathed in thick, rich
“
According to Susanna,
“Flavorful yet healthy
dining” is the way to go. “We
gravy that was well complimented by the
comparatively mellow white rice. The salad only use natural ingredients
didn’t do much for my buds but maybe that
was for the best. It rarely ever happens but it
“
in our food; there are no
might have stolen the show. Nevertheless, I
additives.
preferred the Ital Stew to the Brown Stewed
Chicken. The dish’s star was beans stewed
with vegetables. I didn’t expect a lot, but
much to my surprise, I found it very creamy
despite being a fasting option. The coconut
sauce it was cooked in appeared to have
worked wonders.
Almost done with my meal, Susanna
and I were joined by Lorna Curtis, Susanna’s
mother and the matriarch of the family.
Often referred to as ‘Sister Lorna’, she was a
welcoming, friendly woman visiting from
Shashamane. While here, she helps her
daughter run things around So-Yu. The
mother-daughter duo, after insisting on get-
ting me dessert, then proceeded to explain “I didn’t expect a lot, but much to my surprise, I found it very creamy
what So-Yu is and what it hopes to become. despite being a fasting option.”
Open for 3 months now, So-Yu woos
back its, so far limited, customers with its
fresh new twist on cuisine- both in style and
content. “None of the dishes here are fried,’
says Lorna, “Everything here is either baked
or stewed.” That’s why the beef in my patty
was so soft; it was pre-made before being
stuffed and baked with the dough. Never
mind being tastier, it was also much health-
ier than fried meat. According to Susanna,
“Flavorful yet healthy dining” is the way to
go. “We only use natural ingredients in our
food; there are no additives. Even when we
want to add a pop of color, we go with the
likes of turmeric- no food coloring. We are “The drink’s dark red appearance commands attention. Taking a sip,
completely organic.” I perceived the uniquely sweet taste.”

Bake Shop
The
Ephratha Kibru
O pen since January, The Bake Shop has

been steadily building itself as a reli-
able source of tasty pastries. Lina Hailelul
The Banana Crumb cupcake offered a different experience than
its counterpart. A vegan alternative. it owed its redeeming, crumbly
nature to the toasted oats in the recipe. It was comforting, like a treat
had been cooking since she was 14, and her your aunt might have always made whenever you were visiting. It
love of the culinary arts never faded. From wasn’t very sugary either, all the more reason why I couldn’t seem to
gluten-free Teff cookies to Chocolate Rum get enough.
cakes, all of Lina’s goods are “baked and The last dessert to reach my lips was the Cinnamon Butter cookie.
spiced with love”. Before she started on the It’s considerably thin and flaky nature allowed it to instantly decon-
project that would soon be known as ‘The struct in my mouth. As the cookie laid itself flat on my tongue, I could
Bake Shop’, she was working in production clearly identify its minimalistic approach. I loved it.
management. But as all true passions, hers The Bake Shop currently occupies a small space in Sabegn- a con-
wouldn’t let her settle. So she quit her job to cept store housing handcrafted items. Located in front of Sapphire
pursue baking full time. Addis Hotel, it is conveniently at our city’s center. “Rent is incredibly
high,” Lina’s sister, Semra says as she explains why they went down
I was offered picks from a variety of this route. “We’re only doing pre-orders at the moment so having
their goods, and I settled on 3- the Vanilla a permanent space of our own wouldn’t be economically wise.”
Strawberry cupcake, the Banana Crumb Customers call to make the orders and it will be ready by the next
muffin, and the Cinnamon Butter cookies. I day after 10AM. The Bake Shop hand-deliver themselves for 40 birr if
chose the Vanilla Strawberry as my first bite located within a reasonable proximity. And the folks who live farther
and was sufficiently pleased. The base was away, don’t despair- they have partnered with Deliver Addis.
light and airy at heart and the frosting flat- Some of The Bake Shop’s goods are available at Fresh Corner and
tered it immensely. I could almost taste the Gara Mart. Besides that, they also supply Effoi Pizza’s Ayat branch
raw strawberries in the cupcake; there were with their brownies.
definitely no additives. The pastry’s size was The Bake Shop may charge a relatively high price, but before you
perfect- just big enough to not consider its dismiss it, thinking it may not be worth the trouble, I strongly suggest
sweet nature overwhelming. you first have a taste. You will probably change your mind.
Hours of operations:
Monday - Sunday
9:00AM - 06:00pm
Pick up Locations:
• Ayat - Zone 2, Road
8 (for pre-orders)
• Shop daily specials
at Sabegn Store - 50m
from bole tele
• Brownies at Effoi
Indigo (Ayat)
• Cookies at GaraMart
and Fresh Corner
Locations
Call for pick up or de-

livery: +251912114704
Photo by: Benny Yoseph
Delivery for a flat fee

of 40 birr
FB: https://www.
facebook.com/Addis-
BakeShop
Ephratha Kibru
H aving dominated the Chinese

music scene for the past 3 years,
Blackbusters are no strangers to the
Blackbusters- one DJ and one MC.
What drew you to the music industry as a

whole and EDM specifically? Do you have
vibrant genre that is EDM. With their
a producer who influenced you?
exceptionally gripping performances and
catchy melodies, they always manage to “You’re taking not
DJ ST3V3- I used to DJ at carnivals and
seduce their audience to come back for just yours, but the
some school events while I was living in
more. Though they were supposed to have Ethiopian name to
Ethiopia and that really got me pumped
their debut performance in Ethiopia along the world.”
about the whole industry. Besides my own
with Major Lazer another big name in the experience, electronic music in Africa is
music industry, with the postponement something different. It is still new on our
of Bira Biro for security reasons, they had continent and country as well so I want to
to postpone their performance for later. tap into that before it got oversaturated. It
Blackbusters sat down with LinkUp’s took me quite some time to get the hang of it
Ephratha Kibru to shed some light on what as it’s totally different than the other genres
they do so well. out there but it was worth it.
As for an influential producer, I think Martin
Who are Blackbusters? How and when did
you guys meet? How did you decide to Garrix would be my pick. The fact that he
form a duo? wasn’t even 18 when he became one of the
top 100 DJs in the world was just amazing to
DJ ST3V3- Blackbusters is an EDM duo me. I thought, if he could make such
consisting of Peter and me, with his stage a difference, I could too.
name being Apple. We met in 2015 through
a group chat while we were both working in What can you tell me about
China. After meeting, we added each other Blackbusters Family Media?
on WeChat. But, we hadn’t yet started work-
ing as we wanted to take some time to get to Blackbusters- Well, Blackbusters
know each other. We were just exploring the Family Media is a label we
idea of forming a duo since it would be the founded primarily to motivate,
first of its kind in Africa. After we got to know sign, and promote electronic
each other for a year, we started working musicians specifically in Ghana
small shows. After 3 months of frequenting and Ethiopia. We are finishing up
small clubs, we signed to a major company with the process of opening
that enabled us to perform at bigger events BFM in Ghana and soon we’ll
and venues. So ever since 2016, we became start in Ethiopia as well.
And since we’ve signed

Photo: Courtesy of Blackbusters
That’s one of
the mindsets
we hope to
change with
Blackbusters
Family Media.
It will hopefully
shed better light
on EDM.

with a label in China, we will work in a sort reaches out to me with just a ‘Hi’, I will
of exchange where some of our artists will respond with a ‘Hi’ back. I don’t leave any
perform in China and some of their artists message unanswered just because I’m a DJ.
will do shows in Ghana & Ethiopia. We hope On stage, Blackbusters interact with fans
to get it running in 2-3 months’ time. That’s a lot. That’s what makes us different from
the maximum period we gave but since it’s most acts. I mean, it’s why there is an MC in
not all in our hands, we can’t say for sure. the duo.
MC Apple- Yeah, so on stage I do interact “I’ve heard peo-
Apple, how did you first get into becoming quite a lot with the crowd. But honestly, it all ple call Rap “The
an MC? What was it like? depends on the audience. It’s very import- Devil’s music.” The
MC Apple- I first started out as a rap artist but ant to identify who your audience are and perception about
gradually and surely, I got into MC-ing. Since what they are expecting from you. There what I do can vary
then it has been really good. To be con- are crowds that expect an over-the-top per- quite a lot. It’s crazy
sidered a good MC, you have to be a good formance and others that want you to keep sometimes.”
rapper as well. You have to be someone in it mellow. It’s all up to the crowd.
command of the stage and the flow of your Off stage, I’m not really a social media
rhyme. Needless to say, I really like what I do. person – especially when there’s a lot going
on with myself and the team. It gets harder
What is the best part about being a pro- and harder to keep up.
ducer/DJ/MC; what is the worst?
We’re familiar with the fact that you’ve
DJ ST3V3- I don’t think there’s a con to my shared the stage with the likes of Martin
job. Honestly speaking if you love what you Garrix, Don Diablo, Steve Aoki, VINAI,
do, you will be blind to any negative aspect etc. What have been some of your best
that it may have. And I love being a DJ. There collaborations?
is just an indescribable feeling when you
see people happy because of you. You’re DJ ST3V3- I think every musician has a “We have a track
playing a song and you look at the audience unique quality that makes them great. For named “Africa is
and someone is grinning from ear to ear, instance, Alan Walker’s music production is not a country” set
dancing to a track you produced. It’s amaz- simply awesome. And Martin Garrix’s songs to come out soon...
ing. Production is also the same. It’s a form and shows are just phenomenal. They strike it will dispel some
of expression, a way to convey what’s inside something inside your heart. Every great DJ of the uneducat-
you. has the ability to do that- just not in the same ed assumptions
MC Apple- The feeling you get when way. Because it’s not just music anymore, people have of our
controlling the crowd, the love you receive it becomes emotion. And you remember continent...”
in return for what you do is unbelievable. that much later, long after the show, and it
The joy of mixing the elements of poetry- becomes ingrained. So I don’t think I can
and writing in general- with the sound say there was a single best collaboration as
you love to purely entertain is completely everyone brings something different to the
unparalleled. It doesn’t hurt that girls love table.
rappers too. But on the other end of the
spectrum, you may also be stereotyped What are some recent projects you’re
as an Illuminati, a gangster, unintelligent, a working on?
drug addict, etc. by people that don’t really
understand Rap or can’t relate to it. I’ve Blackbusters- There are a lot of projects
heard people call Rap “The Devil’s music.” going on. We have a track named “Africa
The perception about what I do can vary is not a country” set to come out soon and
quite a lot. It’s crazy sometimes. we’ve been working really hard on it. With
any luck, it will dispel some of the uned-
How do you make sure to engage and inter- ucated assumptions people have of our
act with your fans both on and off stage? continent as well.
DJ ST3V3- Yeah so besides that I will be
DJ ST3V3- Off stage, I get a lot of messages releasing an album by myself in around 6
and mail from fans of my work. And I reply months’ time. The title is ‘Together as One’
to every single one of them. Sometimes, and what I’m really looking to do with it
aspiring producers send their own tracks is support up and coming producers by
and I give them the feedback they asked for. featuring one underground DJ in 6 of the 8
Whether it’s good or bad, whether it needs songs I plan to release in the album. With
some tweaking here and there, I always the remaining 2 tracks, I will be collaborating
answer. It doesn’t even matter if someone with some bigger names. For one of those
2 songs, I will be working with Nhatty Man.

I haven’t decided who to work with for the As Blackbusters, we hope to incorporate “So it’s best
second song yet. both Ethiopian and Ghanaian elements
because as Africans, we should also have to stick with
How would you describe the EDM music a unified core. We’ll see how it sounds. We your roots as
scene in both Ethiopia and Ghana as well may have a really great style and song or a
as Africa on the whole as compared to really bad one. It’s really only a hit or miss, you will be
what you’ve seen in China? there won’t be middle ground- and I don’t something
want there to be. For me, mediocrity is the
DJ ST3V3- It isn’t well known here at the worst thing. At least if we do a horrible job, different.”
moment. Not a lot of people have a clear we’ll still be remembered. But hopefully, it
understanding of what EDM is. A lot of won’t come to that.
people think, “EDM is Techno” and shut
it at that. But that’s not the case; that isn’t Is there any last remark you’d like to make
accurate. There are so much more sub- or people you’d like to thank?
genres and sounds to EDM that you can’t
just dismiss it as just Techno. That’s one MC Apple- I’d like to thank God and
of the mindsets we hope to change with everyone who has been with us, always
Blackbusters Family Media. It will hopefully supporting what we do.
shed better light on EDM. Not every elec- DJ ST3V3- As I mentioned earlier, I am still
tronic music is something you might listen looking for producers so anyone who is
to at a club. You might listen to an EDM interested can contact me at any time. I will
song when writing or sleeping- that’s where respond. Other than that, I’d like to thank
genres such as Downtempo come to play. God first and foremost. Then comes my
family; they’ve been with me since day
What do you wish to say to people out one. I would also like to thank every single
there looking to follow in your path? Do person, be it fan or management, who stood
you have any advice to share? with us.
MC Apple- I would say “never say never!” It’s

sometimes overused, but it’s still true. Hard
work plus character leads to success. You
should always follow your passion.
DJ ST3V3- Well, the path I chose to go down
was to first try to get recognition interna-
tionally so that when I let the world
know what Ethiopia is all about, it will
be accepted with much more open
arms.
But now, if you’re going to be a pro-
ducer, it’s preferable to go with your
identity as an Ethiopian. I mean, it’s
relatively easy to stick with the same
old formula but that doesn’t make
you stand out. So it’s best to stick with
your roots as you will be something
different. And if you do choose to
produce “Ethiopian EDM”, you
will probably be incorporating
some of our traditional instru-
ments. And when you do, all I
have to say is: you have to be
exceptional. You shouldn’t
misuse or abuse our instru-
ments just because it is at your
disposal. Because if the interna-
tional community takes notice
of you, you should be doing not
Photo: Courtesy of Blackbusters
just a good job representing,

but a remarkable one. You’re
taking not just yours, but the
Ethiopian name to the world.

Edom Baheru
Location:
A ddis is a multi-sided coin with many
faces to explore. The most abun-
dant nightlife scenes in Addis, for many
There are events taking place at Fendika
almost every day of the week. Whether
you want to witness the witty banters and
Kazanchis
Service /label:
years, are cultural restaurants, where you creative lyrics of the Azmari culture, which
Cultural Center
can experience Ethiopian cuisine and takes place every late night, to listen to the
watch most of the mainstream cultural exceptional sounds from Kael Love Band Working days:
art. Fendika is not such a place. It is not every other Monday, Fendika will never All weekdays and
where you see your typical mainstream disappoint you. You can also be part of the weekends
Ethiopian cultural singers or eat a variety Poetic Saturday family every first Saturday
of Ethiopian cuisine. It is where you go to of the month and come listen to (or even Facebook:
satisfy your hunger for cultural art and take part) in a growing family of poets, https://www.facebook.
authenticity. It is the hub for nostalgic souls singers and artists of all trades. Alternating com/groups/fendika-
and for those who seek to learn and teach Fridays, you can pop into Fendika to expe- zmaribet/
their wholesome experiences. rience the contemporary arrangements of
cultural music and Ethiopian sounds by Phone Number:
One of the oldest cultural attractions for Teferi Assefa with Negarit Band on every + 251 91 154 7577
the Addis nightlife, Fendika has always been other Friday; while every other Friday is
considered the most authentic experience reserved for you to have the most engag-
that Addis has to offer. This reputation ing and interactive, action packed cultural
has grown exponentially ever since the experience in Addis by taking a journey
appropriation of the venue into a contem- to authenticity with Ethio-color and Police
porary cultural center by the owner and orchestra - one of the first musical arts
manager Melaku. His vision for Fendika groups in Ethiopian history.
and the Ethiopian art, in general, is reflected From beer and wine to traditional Tej
through the events and lifestyle he offers his and Areke to Whiskey and Vodka, Fendika
customers. is full of varieties. The kitchen only serves
Fendika, unlike anywhere else I have Shiro and Tibs, which they started very
seen in Addis, is a space that has figured out recently. However, there is an outdoor
the proper fusion that every type of crowd Grill that serves chicken, beef, samosa and
could relate to and enjoy. It is one of the few vegetables as a variety for night events. With
places where residents, diaspora, expats, the a price that is no more expensive than what
youth and tourists can enjoy a show and you would spend in an ultra-premium club,
mingle with the artists on a respectful, open the cultural experience is of a style that is
platform. It is a place where antique meets not provided anywhere else in Addis.
new-age and connects three generations
with such ease that leaves you gapping in its “It is where you go to satisfy your hunger for cultural art and authenticity.”
wonder. The space is a humble venue that
is purely vernacular with a cozy cultural
photo By: Mario Di Bari
quarter circle set up and furniture. It gets

very hot indoors with a full house (and it is
always a full house). The trick, I found, is to
go early and make sure you pick a comfort-
able place. Don’t worry, Melaku starts DJing
VERY old records early in the night to keep
you entertained. From the Tej (Ethiopian
honey wine) to the BBQ to the bon fire in the
back yard, Fendika tries its best to make you
feel at home.

photo By: Benny Yoseph
Fendika is a space
that has figured out
the proper fusion
that every type of
crowd could relate to
and enjoy

[Cinema]
Kidus Tamiru
Arategna
Directed by: Addisu Girma
Runtime: 90 Minutes
Starring: Kassahun Fisseha, Eyob Dawit, Mikiyas Sintayehu
Arategna is a story about a mechanic who falls in love with a rich girl. It’s also about
the rich girl and her friend’s family problems. And also about a girl who the mechanic
takes care of because of a promise to her father. And some more muddy subplots and
unlikely coincidences. As you can see from the plot summary, this is quite a confused
film. And the problems of this film don’t end with the terrible plot. The writing in gen-
eral is terrible and amateurish. Most of the actors might as well be random people they
dragged off the street that morning to play the characters. The cinematography, editing
and directing are downright incompetent and ridiculous. And the sound is so bad you
can’t discern what they’re saying in some scenes. This film is so bad we might have our
first “it’s so bad; it’s good” film of Ethiopia. The audience were laughing at all the “serious”
scenes and quiet for the supposedly “comic” ones. Overall, even if they charged 1 birr
for tickets of this film, I say that is still too expensive. So save your money and watch
anything else.
1/10
Arif Aychekulim
Directed by: Dereje Gashaw
Runtime: 90 Minutes
Starring: Hanan Tariq, Elias Alemu, Eyob Dawit
Arif Aychekulim is a college romance film about a rich guy who falls in love with a
poor girl. It doesn’t make any sense to me how a film with three “story developers” in
the credits could have absolutely no story whatsoever. While most Ethiopian films
suffer from cramming too many genres in one movie, this one suffers from not having
any. There’s practically no jokes, drama or conflict. Most of the film is just characters
brooding and mumbling with sad piano music underneath, I guess that’s what the film
makers think passes for romance. It’s just characters meet up, hook up, break up, make
up and then, spoiler alert, one of them dies (well, almost in this case). And the film is
filled with typical, stock characters of every bad Ethiopian film: the naive, rich person,
the street smart, poor person, the “funny” friend, so on. Overall, it’s a boring, predictable
film and I would not recommend it.
4/10

Johnny English Strikes Again
Directed by: David Kerr
Runtime: 88 Minutes
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Olga Kurylenko, Emma Thompson
Johnny English 3 is about the eponymous hero’s return from retirement to track
down and find a mysterious hacker that released all the active secret agents’ identi-
ties of England. This film’s entire story and source of comedy can be boiled down to
basically being about the inability of Johnny English to adapt to the digital, modern
age. Which they utilized for some good jokes here and there, but still gets a bit boring
and predictable on the whole. Rowan Atkinson is a great comedian and still delivers
as the character, but the film is just not entertaining enough to hold your attention. It’s
short on the jokes and the plot is boring. It suffers, like its predecessor, from being a very
forgettable film. So unless you really miss Mr. Bean, I would not recommend this.
5/10
Night School
Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee
Runtime: 111 Minutes
Starring: Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Brooke Butler
The plot centers on Teddy, a high school dropout hustler, who decides to go back to
school and get his diploma to get a good job, but he soon realizes school hasn’t gotten
any easier, and he’s going to need a miracle to graduate. Night School is pretty much
a high school film but with the twist of making the students grown ups. The perfor-
mances of Hart and Haddish were good, they’re both aggressive comics, and they
play well off each other. The supporting cast was also good. And a major plot point of
the film is about learning disabilities, and I think it’s portrayed positively and can raise
awareness in that area. So to rehash, it’s not a great film but it’s not bad and unless you
hate Kevin Hart’s style of comedy, I think you’ll enjoy this movie.
7.5/10

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OCTOBER, 2018 ADDIS ABABA

Building Addis Ababa

Editor in chief: Cover Photo: Courtesy of Blackbusters

4 Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018

Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018 7

I n the bustling construction industry of

8 Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018

Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018 9

R ototom Sunsplash is a reggae festival in

10 Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018

Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018 11

N estled in a lane branching away from

“The patty was still warm

12 Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018

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O pen since January, The Bake Shop has

Call for pick up or de-

Delivery for a flat fee

H aving dominated the Chinese

What drew you to the music industry as a

Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018 15

16 Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018

Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018 17

MC Apple- I would say “never say never!” It’s

just a good job representing,

18 Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018

quarter circle set up and furniture. It gets

20 Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018

Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018 21

Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018 23

24 Linkup Addis Ababa September 01, 2018

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