ADDIS ABABA TO KAMPALA

ABOUT

Zelalem Awoke, on stage better known as “Jabu”, is a young, energised electronic music DJ

based in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. His track selection varies within dance and electronic music with

elements of melodic and psychedelic techno, minimal and house.

By the age of 16 he got discovered by a family friend and joined his team organising electronic

music events.

That was also the time Jabu first got introduced to house music. Especially afrohouse and

afrotech were a big part of those get-togethers.

It didn’t take long to wake his interest in becoming a DJ himself. In 2019, after a close friend gifted

him his first controller, a DDJ 400, he quickly started to practice in living rooms, getting to know

the technics and earned skills that would become essential for his situation now as a DJ.

He started working with Chocho Promotions in 2021. There he started operating as a manager

and coordinator. During that time Jabu regularly performed as a DJ, gaining skills and slowly

becoming a well recognised face in the techno scene of Addis due to which event organisers

started booking him more frequently.

His major performances were in events called Zoya, and Zema Mesekir, the largest electronic

music festivals in Ethiopia, were he performed in summer 2023, as well as summer 2024.

In 2023 he cofounded Infinity, an event dedicated to only techno and house music. This year

Infinity will celebrate its one year anniversary.

After working as a DJ in Ethiopia, Jabu is ready to take his performances outside of the country.

Working in international events and playing on big stages is a goal pursued by him with

constancy. His passion for electronic music and sharing it with like- minded people dancing and

enjoying life to the fullest will always be a key point in his existence.

DIRECTIONS