IGITU

Singer  ·  Songwriter  ·  Actress  ·  TV Personality

Ethiopia's Rising Star

Tigist Hailu, performing as Igitu (እግቱ), is an Ethiopian singer-songwriter, actress, and television personality based in Addis Ababa. She emerged in 2018 with "Lebe Mala" (ልቤ ማላ, "My Heart's Desire"), accumulating nearly 4 million views and establishing herself as a powerful new voice in East African music.

Her compositions blend contemporary production with the emotional depth of Amharic storytelling, influenced by Ethiopian jazz traditions. Her songs explore longing, romantic connection, and navigating modern identity while honoring cultural roots. Her vocal style moves from controlled studio precision to raw live intimacy, a quality that has become her artistic signature.

Since her breakthrough she has kept consistent momentum. Her 2019 feature "30:40" with Ahadu showed her collaborative range. The 2023 release "Rega" (ረጋ, "Peace") proved her staying power with 2.2M+ views and a more introspective direction. Her 2024 Home Concert series brought stripped-back acoustic performances to a growing audience.

Her presence extends beyond music. As a judge on Demo Addis (Walta TV, 2024), her mentee won the 2 million birr grand prize. A recurring role in Gizat (Abol TV) demonstrates her crossover appeal. With close to 14 million combined views, she has built a lasting fanbase across Ethiopia, the diaspora, and the Gulf.