Elias Melka

BIO

Elias Melka is one of the great musicians in the 1990’s e.c which arranged many popular contemporary Amharic music’s which are admired and listened in the current music market recently. Elias was born and raised in Addis in a place called Abnet, and still resides in Addis Ababa, working in his studio composing arrangements of various singers.

Elias was the one of the first artists to introduce a one man band studio production concept in Ethiopia. Elias, working in his modern studio in Addis, has produced many music productions using studio tools like the keyboard, module, computer accompaniment software, etc.

Elias grew an interest in music from an early age, growing up in a protestant church has influenced his musical talent, Elias has worked in church choir and band since early age, continuing his journey in music Elias went to join Yared music school to study music majoring in cello, piano and the traditional instrument kirar.

Elias Melka has worked in bands such as, Afro sound band , Zema lastas band and Demera band playing the lead guitar. His unique lead guitar playing skills have made him a contributor to famous singer as Mahamoud Ahmed, Aster Aweke, Alemayehu Eshete , additionally accompanied contemporary young artists with his lead guitar.

Elias Started his music arrangement career with his first work which is one of Mahmoud Ahmed’s music gurgegna music from the album named “hulu yisma” following Teddy Afro’s album “Abugida”, which made Elias a successful Arranger. Elias has also composed various social cause issue raising songs touching on the topic of hiv, copyright issues, and issues concerning the needy.

Elias is also a successful melody and lyric composer who composed great works of contemporary Ethiopian singer as Zeritu Kebede , Mikia Behailu ,Eyob mekonnen ,Gedion Daniel etc.

Elias Has won two great awards in Ethiopia, the first which is wipo’s international award which was given to Ethiopian musicians, and the second one which was an award given to him for composing different tigrays region kunama music. Elias is a young successful contemporary music arranger with many contributions to the growth of modern music in Ethiopia.