Singer Chelina who released her debut album titled “Chelina” in December 2018 took two of the 12 categories of the 9th Leza Listeners’ Choice Award – Album of the Year and Best Artist of the Year
ADDIS ABABA (Semonegna)–Sheger FM Radio’s Leza Radio Show* has held its 9th round Leza Listeners’ Choice Award at Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on October 17, 2019.
Singer Chelina, who released her debut album titled “Chelina” in December 2018, took two of the 12 categories of the 9th Leza Listeners’ Choice Award – Album of the Year and Best Artist of the Year. On the other hand the highly acclaimed feature film Quragnaye was able to win in three categories – Best Feature Film and Best Actress and Best Actor.
Synonymous to The People’s Choice Awards of North America, Leza Listeners’ Choice Award is an Ethiopia awards show, recognizing the Ethiopian artists and their contribution to the country’s art and culture, voted on by the general public.
The 9th Leza Award winners and nominees
Single of the Year ― Presented by Teshome Sisay (Singer/Composer)
- “Belba” by Jambo Jote — WINNER
- “Ete Abay” by Abrham Belayneh
- “Sey” by Ephrem Amare
- “Tilobign” by Rahel Getu
- “Adimera” Yared Negu
- “Mahiya” Dany Magna
Best Actor in Television Series ― Presented by Kurabachew Deneke (Playwright)
- Abebe Balcha (TV Series: Zemen on EBS) — WINNER
- Alemayehu Tadesse (Derso Mels on FANA)
- Yigerem Dejene (Mogachoch on EBS)
- Million Berhane (Zetenegnaw Shi on FANA)
- Solomon Bogale (Zemen on EBS)
- Michael Tamire (Min Litazez on FANA)
Best New Artist ― Presented by Presented by Kuku Sebsebe (Singer)
- Chelina — WINNER
- Ziggy Zaga (Behailu Tafesse)
- Jacky Gosee
- Yohana
- Hayleyesus Feyssa (Haile)
- Dag Daniel
Best Actor ― Presented by Azeb Worku (Playwright)
- Zerihun Mulat (film: Quragnaye) — WINNER
- Henok Wondimu (Sumalew Vandam)
- Tariku Birhanu ‘Baba’ (Mugnu Yarada Lij 4)
- Alemseged Assefa (Atifred)
- Cherinet Fikadu (Zemene)
- Girum Ermiays (Tefetari)
Song of the Year ― Presented by Samuel Yirga (Musician and composer)
- Serkaleme by Ziggy Zaga (Behailu Tafesse) — WINNER
- Bati by Chelina
- Maye Kaja by Yohana
- Gum Semay by Ziggy Zaga (Behailu Tafesse)
- Habesha by Dag Daniel
- Selam Yisten by Gossaye Tesfaye
Best Actress ― Presented by Aboneh Ashagre (Playwright/ Associate Professor)
- Yemisrach Girma (film: Quragnaye) — WINNER
- Meskerem Abera (Simet)
- Edelework Tassew (Wedefit)
- Melat Yirgalem (Berabish)
- Shewit Kebede (Wuha ena Werk)
- Kalkidan Tibebu (Zemene)
Best TV Series ― Presented by Manyazewal Endeshaw (Theater/Film Director)
- Derso Mels on FANA (Directed by Meaza Worku; Kiba Multimedia Production/ Amad Film Production) — WINNER
- Mogachoch on EBS
- Zetenegnaw Shi on Fana
- Betoch on ETV
- Min Litazez on FANA
- Zemen on EBS
Best Album of the Year ― Hailu Mergia (Accordionist, keyboardist)
- Chelina by Chelina — WINNER
- Nigus by Jah Lude
- Siyamish Yamegna by Gossaye Tesfaye
- Yohana by Yohana
- Korma by Ziggy Zaga (Behailu Tafesse)
- Balambaras by Jacky Gosee
Best Feature Film ― Presented by Abraham Gezahegn (Screen writer, director, producer)
- Quragnaye (Directed by Moges Tafesse; Starring Zerihun Mulatu, Tesfaye Demam, Yemisrach Girma, Frehiwot Kelkilew, Feleke Kassa and Henok Zerabiruk)
- Tefetari
- Wedefit
- Zemene
- Mognu Yarada Lij 4
- Simet
Best Actress in Television Series ― Presented by Hanna Terefe (Stage and screen actress)
- Hanna Yohannes (TV Series: Zemen on EBS) — WINNER
- Meskerem Abera (Min Litazez on FANA )
- Mekdes Tsegaye (Mogachoch on EBS)
- Christy Haile (Derso Mels on FANA)
- Mestawet Aragaw (Senselet on EBS)
- Martha Getachew (Derso Mels on FANA)
Best Music Video (Clip) ― Presented by Hamelmal Abate (Singer)
- Ke Ehud Eske Ehud – Gossaye Tesfaye — WINNER
- Benetselay– Dawit Nega
- Mircha Alat – Yohana
- Say Bay – Chelina
- Yebalewa Konjo – Dag Daniel
- Kedamawit – Jacky Gosee
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient ― Presented by Elias Tebabal (Singer)
- Giovanni Rico (one of the founding members of Ethiopia’s highly celebrated bands, Ibex Band and Roha Band)
* Leza Radio Show is a daily (except Friday) radio show on Sheger FM 102.1 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hosted by Journalist Berhanu Digaffe.