Official Portrait
Merkeb Bonitua
About Merkeb
The voice of Tigrigna Guayla
Merkeb Bonitua (born Merkeb Baryagabr Assefa) is a Tigrigna Guayla hip-hop artist whose music blends the ancient rhythms of the Tigray region with the pulse and swagger of modern hip-hop. Alongside legendary producer Hello G, Merkeb crafted the anthems — "Nebereya Nebere," "Girma Africa," "Humera" — that turned him into a household name across the Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora. His performances have taken him across South Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America, and beyond music he is known for his philanthropy — most recently gifting a $3,000 gold prize won at a music show to refugee mothers of Tigray in Beirut.
From
Tigray, Ethiopia
Genre
Tigrigna Guayla · Hip-Hop
Label
Kertet Music Group
Journey
The road so far
From the first anthem in 2021 to the Girma Africa Tour and the 2025 single Akayda — a career built one song at a time.
2021
'Nebereya Nebere' debut
Merkeb Bonitua breaks through with 'Nebereya Nebere,' produced by the legendary Hello G. The single instantly circles the Tigrayan diaspora and lights up YouTube.
2022
'Girma Africa'
Released January 9, 2022, 'Girma Africa' — a tribute to the Tigray Defence Forces and to General Alula Aba Nega — becomes a defining anthem of a generation. Merkeb tours South Africa on the back of the record.
2023
'Humera' & East London show
A sold-out show in East London with Hello G cements Merkeb's status as a top live act in the international Tigrigna music scene.
2024
A prolific year
Merkeb releases seven singles in a single year — 'Marsh Keyr,' 'Kinrakeb Ena,' 'Abe Bwegeney,' 'Gobezay,' 'Tegomtses,' 'Tewenes,' 'Afro Guayla' — pushing the sound of Tigrigna Guayla hip-hop forward.
2025
'Maebel,' 'Hura Hiphop' and 'Akayda'
Three new singles land in 2025, closing the year with 'Akayda' (Nov 27, 2025) via Kertet Music Group. Merkeb also donates a $3,000 gold prize to refugee Tigrayan mothers in Beirut.
Achievements
Awards & recognition
A short list of the moments the industry paused and noticed.
2024 · Tigrigna Music Show
Gold Prize Winner (donated to refugee mothers)
2022 · Tigrigna Music
Viral Anthem of the Year — 'Girma Africa'
2021 · Ethiopian & Eritrean Diaspora Charts
Breakout Artist
“A powerful anthem — Girma Africa honors African heroism and resilience.”
Follow
Merkeb on every platform
Follow Merkeb on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for the latest music, tour updates, and behind-the-scenes moments.