Tigist Shibabaw (1980 – January 2008) was an Ethiopian singer and one of the original members of the Harlem-based hip hop fusion band Bole2Harlem. She was born in Chagni, Ethiopia, like her sister, the singer Gigi.
Early life Tigist was born and raised in Chagni, a small town in northwestern Ethiopia. She was one of ten siblings, born into a family of coffee farmers who relied on the local river for their harvest.
Career Tigist immigrated to the United States in 2000 to pursue a career in music, joining her older sister Gigi, who was already a musician. Their father had initially forbidden Gigi from becoming an entertainer.
Tigist performed with her sister Gigi on Gigi's debut album; she then became a lead vocalist for Bole2Harlem. The group's co-founder and producer David Schommer described her voice and singing as "a vital part of Bole2Harlem's sound."
Death Tigist died at the age of twenty-eight in Bahar Dar, Ethiopia, where she is said to have traveled on a pilgrimage shortly after she finished recording with Bole2Harlem circa January 2008. Details regarding the circumstances surrounding her death never emerged, including the exact date of her death; She was buried among family in Chagni, the town where she was born.
Discography Artist Album Label Year Gigi Gigi Palm Pictures 2001 Jah Wobble and Bill Laswell Radioaxiom (A Dub Transmission) Palm Pictures 2001 Abyssinia Infinite Zion Roots Network Medien 2003 Mandeng Eletrik Man:De.Ng Eletrik Mulatta 2004 Various artists African DreamsCompilation includes the track "Sheruru" by Tigist Shibabaw. Ellipsis Arts 2004 Gigi Gold And Wax Palm Pictures 2006 Bole 2 Harlem Volume 1 Sounds of the Mushroom 2006 Various artists Un Automne 2007Compilation includes the track "Bole 2 Harlem" by Bole 2 Harlem. Les Inrockuptibles 2007
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