እጅጋየሁ ሽባባው | Ejigayehu Shibabaw
Basic Identity
- Real Name and Stage Name : Her birth name is Ejigayehu Shibabaw, and she is professionally known as Gigi. She is celebrated for her innovative fusion of traditional Ethiopian music with global genres such as jazz, dub, and world music.
- Date and Place of Birth : Gigi was born on October 21, 1974, in Chagni, a town in the Amhara Region of northwestern Ethiopia.
- Age / Current Age or Age at Death : As of 2025, Gigi is 50 years old.
- Parents (Mother and Father) : Gigi was raised in a large family of coffee farmers. Her father was initially opposed to her pursuing a career in music, leading her to leave home to follow her passion.
- Siblings : Gigi is the fifth of ten siblings. Her younger sister, Tigist Shibabaw, was also a singer and a member of the hip-hop fusion band Bole2Harlem. Tragically, Tigist passed away in 2008. Another sister, Sofia Shibabaw, is a renowned gospel singer in Ethiopia.
- Background and Upbringing : Gigi grew up in a rural setting where music was an integral part of daily life. She learned traditional songs from an Ethiopian Orthodox priest in her family home. At the age of 14, her family moved to Addis Ababa. Facing familial opposition to her musical aspirations, she relocated to Kenya in the early 1990s, where she began performing. In 1998, she moved to San Francisco, USA, to further her music career.
Career
- Career Start and Early Breakthrough : Gigi began her career singing traditional Ethiopian songs in Nairobi in the early 1990s. She gained global attention after moving to San Francisco and releasing her debut album Gigi in 2001, produced by her husband Bill Laswell. The album’s fusion of Ethiopian music with jazz and dub brought her international fame.
- First Song / Breakthrough Hit : Her breakthrough came with the song “Guramayle” from her Gigi album, which blended Ethiopian melodies with Western instrumentation. The track became a signature hit across global world music circles.
- Major Milestones and Achievements : Gigi has collaborated with legends like Herbie Hancock and Pharoah Sanders, appeared on major platforms like NPR and BBC, and helped globalize Ethiopian music. She’s also known for projects like Abyssinia Infinite – Zion Roots and Illuminated Audio.
- Awards and Recognitions : Though not a Grammy winner, her debut album received international acclaim from BBC, Pitchfork, and Village Voice. She’s celebrated as one of the few Ethiopian artists to successfully fuse traditional sounds with modern genres.
- International Reach and Diaspora Performances : Gigi has performed globally in cities like New York, London, and Paris, and at festivals like WOMAD and Montreal Jazz Fest. Her music is widely loved by the Ethiopian diaspora and global world music fans.
Albums
Personal Life
- Relationship Status and Children : Gigi was previously married to renowned music producer Bill Laswell, who also produced her acclaimed debut album. The two have since separated. There is no verified public information about her current relationship or whether she has children.
- Net Worth and Assets : While exact figures are not disclosed, Gigi’s international album sales, licensing deals, and global performances have contributed to modest financial success. Her net worth is estimated to be within the low six-figure range, based on global indie artist standards.
- Current Residence and Lifestyle : As of recent years, Gigi is believed to reside in the United States, likely between New York and California, close to former collaborators. She maintains a low public profile and has largely stepped back from the spotlight to focus on personal life and spiritual interests.
Business
- Business & Cultural Investment : Gigi co-produced her albums under Bill Laswell’s labels (Palm Pictures/Tzadik), retaining rights and licensing revenue. As a cultural ambassador, she fused Ethiopian traditions with jazz and electronic music, headlining UNESCO-linked events. While she hasn’t launched a formal mentorship program, her genre-defying work deeply influenced emerging Ethiopian artists in the diaspora.
-SOURCES-
wikipedia.org
wikidata.org
allmusic.com
discogs.com
musicbrainz.org
rateyourmusic.com
typicalethiopian.com
ethiobiography.org
musicinafrica.net
shega.et
worldmusiccentral.org
mod-technologies.com
palmpictures.com
youtube.com
facebook.com
instagram.com