Bole2Harlem
| Bole2Harlem | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Harlem, New York City |
| Genres | Hip-hop, Ethiopian music |
| Years active | 2005–2006 |
| Website | www |
| Past members | David "Duke Mushroom" Schommer Tigist Shibabaw Maki Siraj Davi Vieira Dave Eggar Henok Tenesgen Balla Tounkara Sam "Carpete" Effron Gregg Fine Khalid M'Zouz |
| (Duke Mushroom Presents) Bole2Harlem, Volume 1 | |
|---|---|
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| Studio album by Bole2Harlem | |
| Released | 2006 |
| Recorded | Sounds of the Mushroom, Harlem MacSound, New York City |
| Genre | Hip hop, Ethiopian music |
| Length | 58:15 |
| Label | Sounds of the Mushroom |
| Producer | Duke Mushroom |
Bole2Harlem was a musical collaboration that fused elements of Ethiopian music with American hip hop. Bole2Harlem released one album, Bole2Harlem, Volume 1, in 2006. David "Duke Mushroom" Schommer, a producer, songwriter, and percussionist, founded the group with Ethiopian singers Tigist Shibabaw (the late sister of singer Gigi) and Maki Siraj. The project's name refers to Bole, a neighborhood in Addis Ababa (and the site of Bole International Airport), and Harlem, New York City, where Schommer and Siraj were residents.
The project has its roots in L'Orange Bleue, a New York cafe popular with African expatriates and where Schommer, Siraj, and Shibabaw would congregate. Schommer had grown up immersed in Ethiopian culture: his father had helped establish a university in Ethiopia, and consequently the family home was filled with Ethiopian art and stories. Shibabaw and Siraj had made a recording after they met in 2005. Schommer, Shibabaw, and Siraj discussed an "Abesha MC" concept, with Shibabaw representing traditional Ethiopian styles (see Ethiopiques), and Siraj representing new musical trends. Additional collaborators joined after hearing about the project through Schommer's other production activities. Schommer and Siraj also trace the concept to the transit culture of Addis Ababa, where weyalas rapidly call out the destinations of share taxis (for example, "Bole, Bole, Bole, Bole..."). Schommer describes the idea of taking a New York taxicab and suddenly placing it and its passengers in Addis Ababa (thus, "Harlem, Harlem, Harlem, Harlem..."). The album cover art features a minibus similar to the vehicles used as share taxis. Tigist Shibabaw died in early 2008 in Bahar Dar, Ethiopia.
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