London-based contemporary ethio-jazz duo ZENA, comprised of producer, keyboardist and synth player Yohan Kebede and bassist/producer Menelik, return with their new single “IT’S YOU (ANTE NEH)” featuring South London singer-songwriter Meron T.
Conceptualised as an homage to the influence rock & roll, pop and R&B had on Ethiopian music in the 1960s, “IT’S YOU (ANTE NEH)” is an understated, cool-tempered love song that looks forward as much as it looks back. The track bridges eras from the minimalist elegance of Sade, to the contemporary soul of The Internet, all infused with a distinctly Ethiopian sensibility.
Rooted in Ethiopian Musical Innovation
Drawing direct inspiration from Kuku Sebsibe’s seminal track “Fikreh Beretabegne”, celebrated for its forward-thinking use of synthesizers and drum machines, ZENA channel the more joyful and light-hearted side of Ethiopian music. The single’s title lyric is borrowed from Yared Negu’s “Zelelaye,” which features the line “Anchin Newu” (“It’s you,” when addressed to a woman). The phrase became the emotional anchor for the duo’s intention to craft a modern love song grounded in heritage.
A Natural Collaboration
Meron T, whose sound blends soul-rooted R&B with influences from UK club culture and her East African heritage, brings warmth and depth to the track. She has previously collaborated with a wave of emerging UK talent including Sam Wise, IZCO, Hagan, Karen Nyame KG and Nikhil Beats, alongside her work with jazz and hip-hop collective The Silhouettes Project.
Speaking on the collaboration, Menelik shared:
“This song always lifts my mood. Collaboration is at the heart of this project, and having Meron T join us felt like a natural fit. She immediately grasped the references we were drawing from and brought her own perspective that elevated the track.”
Meron added:
“Working with ZENA has been a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to tap into my culture musically, but never knew where to start. Becoming friends with and then eventually working with Yohan was the organic break I’d been waiting for. I’m grateful that we’ve been able to sonically celebrate our Habesha heritage together.”
A Retro-Dreamlike Visual
The single arrives alongside a striking video directed by Colleen Lee, whose past work includes visuals for YUNGBLUD, Raye, Jacob Collier and Charlotte Day Wilson. Lee also directed ZENA’s debut single video “Anchi Bale Game.”
Neon-glossed and retro-infused with vibrant lighting, the visual leans into a whimsical, dream-like storybook aesthetic. Reflecting on its inspiration, Yohan said:
“I remember watching Ethiopian music videos as a kid that had a really cool green screen going in the background, particularly ‘Asa Belew’ by Manalemosh Dibo. They always felt really fun and cute, and since that’s how the song feels, the concept kind of wrote itself.”
With “IT’S YOU (ANTE NEH)”, ZENA continue to refine their unique ethio-jazz identity, celebrating the past while confidently shaping the future.
