Helena Alemayehu Asfaw
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Helena is an up and coming singer, songwriter, dancer and filmmaker. This young performer chanced upon the stage as a member of Tis Abbay Band of Montreal at 13. Helena's love of music, however, had been with her since she knew herself. By the time she started performing, her brother, Rasselas was already building his music career. Encouraged by Rasselas, Helena decided to let her passion for music flow. As one of the generation Africans growing up in North America she began writing, singing, rapping, and making beats in a style that is surely Hip Hop, but with an Ethiopic slant. This talented and dedicated youngster sings and rhymes in Amharic, English, and French.
Helena's confidence and skills have enabled her to write and perform her debut hit pieces Adwa and Identity on DJ Dani's Kiyit / Mix. Further, she released the Amharic Hip Hop CD, Guzo Wode Ethiopia (Journey to Ethiopia) with Rasselas under Homegrown Records Inc in 2002. 2007 has been more eventful with her new single Yefikir Tiyaké and a number of videos under her direction. On her visit to Ethiopia for the Ethiopian Millenium, she also had the opportunity to appear on ETV as well as many stages in Addis Ababa with Lafontain's Tadele Roba and Berhanu Tezera, including a performance on Beyoncé and Ludacris' concert. She has also released two new singles in Ethiopia - Gud Yafelash Anchi (Scandalous Lady) and Kalkidan (Promise) with Rasselas. Her debut solo album is on the way.
Apart from music, Helena is also a talented dancer. As a dancer and choreographer of Nouvel Exposé Dance Troupe, she appears on various events performing African dances including opening for Aster Aweke and Teddy Afro. This experience has enabled her to incorporate explore diverse African movements in her shows. Helena is currently a film student at York University which enabled her to direct and release her video for Yefkir Tiyake, Rasselas' My Pants Saggin, and Kemer Yousef's Hello and Nanawe. Stay tuned for more from this aspiring and inspiring multitalented artist.
