Bole2Harlem Video

Artist: Bole2Harlem
Song: Enseralen Gojo
Country: Ethiopia

These days in Ethiopia, the phrase "remix" has a unique meaning. If you step into a taxi in Addis Ababa, there is a good chance your driver will attempt to get on your good side by playing a cassette, and singing along with a well-known song, while improvising his own set of lyrics over the song. The new lyrics might take on social commentary or may simply be humorous, but they will likely have insider references to modern day Ethiopian life.

One of the Harlem Crew, Siraj, is getting calls from friends in Ethiopia's capital who are hearing it played in taxi cabs everywhere, one of the best indicators that the crew have struck a chord. On their last visit to Ethiopia, one cab driver put it plainly, possibly paying the émigré group the highest compliment: "We can't re-mix this. You're already speaking our language. There is nothing we can add."

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