HABESHA Vibes

Aster Aweke Returns With Gela Gela: Aster’s Ballads #2 -A New Chapter in the Voice of Ethiopian Music

Ethiopian music legend Aster Aweke is once again capturing the attention of music lovers with her latest album, Gela Gela: Aster's Ballads #2.

7/21/20263 min read

Aster Aweke Returns With Gela Gela: Aster’s Ballads #2 — A New Chapter in the Voice of Ethiopian Music

By Habesha Vibes Editorial Team

Ethiopian music legend Aster Aweke is once again capturing the attention of music lovers with her latest album, Gela Gela: Aster's Ballads #2.

Released on July 10, 2026, the 10-track album marks another important chapter in the remarkable career of one of Ethiopia's most celebrated voices. The project is already generating strong interest across digital music platforms and social media, with fans sharing and discussing the new songs online. (Apple Music - Web Player)

A New Album With a Familiar Aster Aweke Feeling

The album features songs including "Gela Gela," "Lemedk Wey," "Yeserge Tzitaw," "Bayne Mulu," "Ene Ketero Alegn," "Wenfit Mulu Lomie," "Madga Mulu Wuha," "Kehulu Asbelche," "Chereka Wubetish," and "Magignetenim Enja."

The release continues Aster Aweke's tradition of combining powerful vocals with the emotional depth and musical character that have made her one of Ethiopia's most influential contemporary singers.

"Gela Gela" Leads the Digital Wave

The title track, "Gela Gela," has quickly emerged as one of the most visible songs from the new project.

According to Ethiopian YouTube tracking data, Gela Gela reached No. 5 on the weekly YouTube chart in Ethiopia, recording approximately 489,000 weekly streams in the chart period ending July 16. On the daily chart, the song was also among Ethiopia's most-streamed tracks, demonstrating the strong early response to Aster's new release.

Other songs from the album are also gaining momentum. "Lemedk Wey," "Yeserge Tzitaw," "Bayne Mulu," "Ene Ketero Alegn," "Wenfit Mulu Lomie," and "Madga Mulu Wuha" all appeared in the Ethiopian YouTube weekly rankings, giving Aster an impressive presence across the chart with multiple songs from the same album.

Social Media Fans Are Joining the Conversation

The excitement surrounding Gela Gela has also spread through Ethiopian music communities on social media.

Facebook promotions surrounding the project included an invitation to a special "Gela Gela" listening party, giving fans an opportunity to hear the album and celebrate the new release. Ethiopian music communities have also been sharing links to the new music on social platforms, helping the album reach listeners beyond traditional music channels.

This growing online conversation demonstrates how Ethiopian artists can now build momentum through a combination of YouTube, streaming platforms and social media communities.

Aster Aweke's Timeless Appeal

What makes the release particularly meaningful is Aster Aweke's ability to remain relevant across generations.

For longtime fans, Gela Gela is another opportunity to experience the voice of an artist who has played a major role in the evolution of modern Ethiopian music. For younger listeners, the album provides a chance to connect with one of Ethiopia's most respected musical voices through the digital platforms where today's audiences discover music.

The early performance of the album suggests that Aster's music continues to have a strong emotional connection with Ethiopian listeners at home and in the diaspora.

The Habesha Vibes Take

At Habesha Vibes, we see Gela Gela: Aster's Ballads #2 as more than just another new album. It is a reminder of the lasting power of Ethiopian music and the ability of an iconic artist to continue creating new moments for her audience.

With "Gela Gela" already making a strong impression on Ethiopian YouTube charts and several other album tracks appearing among the country's most-streamed songs, Aster Aweke's latest project has started its journey with considerable momentum.

As the album continues to circulate across YouTube, streaming services and social media, the question now is: How far will Gela Gela go?

One thing is already clear — Aster Aweke's voice still has a place in the heart of Ethiopian music.

What is your favorite song from Gela Gela: Aster's Ballads #2? Share your thoughts with the Habesha Vibes community.

Note: The YouTube figures above are streaming estimates reported by Ethiopian YouTube chart tracking, not necessarily the lifetime view count displayed on the individual official YouTube video. The numbers can change daily.

© 2026. All rights reserved.