Neway Debebe

Born In the rural part of Ethiopia in Hamer Bako, Asela, Awassa Welaayta, and his parents work behavior made him move around these places through his life’s path. This life style has contributed greatly to his music work, as Neway Debebe emphasis it.

Neway started music in a city called Asela at Ras Andarge high school having a great contribution in the high school band. Besides singing in the high school band, he also contributed in giving melody and lyric compositions to his peers. Teacher Fantahun Antalehegn, who used to be Neway’s music teacher, encouraged him to succeed in his talent, Neway speaks his teacher laid the foundation for what he has become.

Neway used to play music in his home towns of Hawassa and Wolayta, in the Derg government the philosophy socialism prevailing in the country, many music groups used to be organized in Kebele’s, Neway participated in many of them which were in his home town.

Having acquired a great deal of music experience in playing from high school music group to social Kebele music scenes Neway evolved his talent to move to the capital city Addis Ababa to make his dreams come true. He moved to Addis to join ambassador theatre which was organized by Ato Tesfaye Lema, and following that he joined Ras Theatre’s traditional band.

Neway is one of the great artists who made Ras Theatre famous, others also include singer Tsehaye Yohhannes, Elias Tebabel, Shamble Belayneh, and Aster Kebede. Neway released his first album in the 1970’s with Roha Band recorded by Tango Music Shop, this album included great hit songs such as ‘Eshet Belahugn’, ‘Yetikimit Abeba’, ‘Egnaw Enitarek’, etc which are still currently loved by the audience. Neway has released six albums, and has played with other artists in different albums, his works have afforded him great fame by the wide audience.

All the melody and lyric compositions released in all Neway albums have been written by him, besides he also contributed to other artist’s melody and lyric compositions including Dr. Tilahun Gessese, Tsehaye Yohannes, Aster Kebede, etc. In writing/composing melodies, Neway uses his voice and occasionally whistles, sometimes uses box guitar which he learned from singer Mesfin Abebe in one occasion where Neway went to Wolayta for work where he met with Mesfin Abebe.

Neway has lived in U. S. for the past 16 years making his life and work there, he also have performed his works in concerts around the world. In his stays in the U.S. he continued to release his albums such as ‘Ageren Alresam’, ‘Yene Deha’ with musicians such as Abegaz Kibrework, Henok Temesgen, Fasil Wuhib with arrangement of Abegaz Kibrework.

After 16 years of stay in the U.S. singer Neway moved to Ethiopia in 2000.