Hirut Bekele has been played on NTS shows including Beirut Daze w/ Ernesto Chahoud, with Almokerkum Nebere first played on 2 January 2018.

Hirut Bekele ( ሂሩት በቀለ; 8 October 1942 – 12 May 2023) was a legendary Ethiopian vocalist widely celebrated as one of the greatest voices of all time. Renowned for her unmatched vocal power, emotional depth, and extraordinary range, she redefined Ethiopian music and set a standard of excellence that remains unparalleled. Rising to prominence during the Golden Age of Ethiopian music, Hirut mesmerized audiences with her soul-stirring performances and poetic storytelling, earning her a place among the most iconic musical figures in history.

Her early life was marked by both love and loss. When she was only four years old, her father, Lieutenant Bekele Kinfe, was fatally shot while attempting to break up a fight between two of his friends leaving her to be raised by her devoted mother, Tenagnework Mekonnen, and her caring paternal grandmother, Getenesh Woldeamanuel. Despite the challenges, Hirut’s childhood was filled with affection, surrounded by a loving family.

As she reached school age, Hirut enrolled at Adventist Mission in Kebena, where she attended all her elementary school grades. She excelled in her studies and showed early promise. However, societal expectations and the harsh realities of the time cast a shadow over her dreams. Traditional customs dictated that young girls were often married off at an early age, and Hirut was no exception. At just 13 years old, her grandmother’s husband, Ato Abegazu, known as ጌቶች, arranged for her marriage to a much older man.

Though both her mother and grandmother opposed the idea, Ato Abegazu, being deeply conservative and traditional, insisted that the marriage take place. The news was devastating for the young and ambitious Hirut, who pleaded and voiced her disagreement. Yet, Ato Abegazu remained resolute, replying, "This has to be done."

The day of her wedding was one filled with anguish and heartbreak. Hirut, with dreams of continuing her education and shaping her own future, found herself forced into a union she neither wanted nor understood. As she tearfully followed her new husband to his home, her heart was not set on submission but on escape. In an extraordinary act of bravery, Hirut decided to reclaim her life. Within a month of living in her husband’s home, she managed to escape and return to her mother and grandmother. Her return was a mix of joy and tension. While her mother and grandmother were overjoyed to see her safe, they were also fearful of the wrath of Ato Abegazu and her husband, who soon came demanding Hirut’s return.

When pressured to go back, Hirut made a statement that left everyone stunned: “If you force me to go back to his house, I will end my life, and you will bear the responsibility.” These powerful and resolute words silenced the elders who had come to negotiate her return. At just 13 years old, Hirut displayed an unyielding determination to live life on her own terms. Her family ultimately supported her decision, allowing her to stay and continue her education. Bitter and humiliated, the husband sent emissaries and elders repeatedly, often issuing warnings and threats to reclaim his young bride. Yet, Hirut stood firm, refusing to bow to tradition or intimidation, setting the stage for a life defined by independence and courage.

While continuing her schooling, Hirut felt an irresistible and undeniable calling—a calling that seemed to be woven into the very fabric of her being. This was a calling that would elevate her to the pinnacle of success, to a summit that few could ever dream of reaching. She was destined to become the Queen of Ethiopian female singers for the next four decades.

Growing up, Hirut found joy in singing at home, performing in her village during various occasions, and entertaining her classmates at school. Her performances were met with overwhelming encouragement and admiration. Yet, despite the constant praise, Hirut remained unaware of the true extent of her extraordinary talent. She modestly believed that people were simply being kind to avoid hurting her feelings, never fully realizing that her voice was a rare gift that could touch hearts and inspire souls. Her neighbor, Sisay, recognized her exceptional talent. He often told her that if she seriously pursued singing, she would become one of the country's top musical artists. Despite his constant encouragement, Hirut struggled to believe in her own abilities. Sisay, who worked at the Army Force, even offered to introduce her to the Army Force Orchestra. However, Hirut declined, fearing her family would be ashamed and possibly disown her for bringing shame to the family.

In 1958, as was customary in Ethiopia's music culture, there were musical competitions among all military orchestras and various famous bands on New Year's Eve in the theaters of Addis Ababa. The Army Force Orchestra was preparing for this prestigious event by recruiting new and upcoming talents. Hirut’s friend, who believed had a God-given voice and always performed with Hirut during village events, urged her to join the auditions. After much thought, Hirut agreed to accompany her friend to the audition. At the time, she was just 16 years old.

On the day of the audition, a large crowd of young hopefuls gathered at the Army Force Orchestra compound. Hirut and her friend arrived late and found themselves at the end of the line. They waited all day, and finally, it was her friend’s turn. By then, the judges were exhausted and disheartened from listening to numerous competitors without finding a suitable candidate. Hirut’s friend performed but met the same fate as the others before her.

As the judges prepared to wrap up for the day, one of the judges noticed Hirut was standing outside waiting for her friend. Curiously, he asked if she was there for the audition. Hirut modestly replied that she was only there to support her friend. However, her friend, confident in Hirut's talent, insisted that Hirut had an extraordinary voice. Intrigued by her friend’s insistence, the judges encouraged Hirut to give it a try. Reluctantly, Hirut agreed to sing.

The moment she started singing, the judges were spellbound. Hirut’s voice filled the room, captivating the judges with its purity and power. Her presence was mesmerizing, and the judges immediately recognized the greatness before them. They were ecstatic, realizing they had discovered an exceptional talent. The next day, they rushed to complete her hiring paperwork, ensuring no one else could claim her and that her journey to stardom would begin.

Fearing her family's reaction, Hirut kept her new job as a singer with the Army Orchestra a secret. She continued practicing with the band but told her family she was taking typing lessons to secure an office job, a more respected field than singing. When the preparations were complete, and the time arrived for her first performance, Hirut was overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty. By nature, Hirut was shy, avoiding confrontations, and always positive and loving.

On New Year's Eve, Hirut was ready with her new songs and beautifully made dresses. As the performance time approached, she sat in the dressing room, consumed by extreme anxiety. Despite everyone's efforts to comfort her, nothing seemed to help. When her turn came, and the announcer introduced this sensational young star, Hirut wished the earth would open up and swallow her. There was no turning back—the band had already started playing the intro. Hirut walked onto the stage with her head down, shivering. With her head still bowed, she began to sing. The audience erupted with cheers, admiring her voice. That was when Hirut lifted her head and saw the size of the audience and their joyful clapping. Overwhelmed, she felt she was about to pass out from extreme fear. Then, in an unthinkable move, she dropped the mic and ran to the dressing room.

The Orchestra's director had anticipated this might happen, knowing how shy and young Hirut was and that it was her first time performing. They were prepared, and a seasoned singer seamlessly took over, finishing the song while the band continued playing the same tune. The audience was so captivated by the performance that they were amazed by the transition between the two singers, leaving them excited by the flawless delivery of the song.

While Hirut was being lectured by an irate director and band members backstage, a much bigger problem was brewing in the audience. Among the spectators was Hirut's mother, Tenagnework, who had come to enjoy the evening’s entertainment. She never anticipated witnessing such a personal and shocking event. When she first heard the announcer introduce Hirut, she assumed it was someone else with the same name. But when she saw her daughter step onto the stage, she couldn't believe her eyes.

Tenagnework's heart sank as she realized that Hirut's claims of attending typing lessons had been a cover for practicing with the band. She watched in horror as the entire event unfolded before her eyes. Overwhelmed by a mixture of disbelief and shame, she couldn't control her emotions. Tenagnework left the theater early, her heart heavy with distress. She rushed home to inform the family that their daughter had become አዝማሪ—a derogatory term for a singer—bringing what she believed to be the greatest shame upon them.

That night, Hirut never set foot back on the stage. After an eventful and tumultuous evening, she returned home, only to face an even greater ordeal. The entire family, along with some neighbors, had gathered to comfort each other. When Hirut arrived, she was shocked to see so many people and to find her family in tears. She feared that a family member had passed away. Desperately, she asked what had happened and who had died. The answer she received left her speechless: her mother, Tenagnework, said, “It’s you who have died.” Bewildered, Hirut responded, “What do you mean? I’m not dead. I’m right here with you.” Her mother replied with a heavy heart, “You died because you became አዝማሪ (a derogatory term for a singer) and brought the greatest shame upon us.”

Initially, Hirut tried to deny it, insisting that she hadn’t become a singer. But her mother recounted everything she had seen at the theater. Hirut, unable to find words, hung her head in silence. Soon, the entire community of Kebena learned that Hirut had become a singer. When her grandfather, Ato Kinfemichael, a respected and wealthy man on her father’s side, heard the news, he came home extremely disturbed and angry to confront Hirut. He gave her an ultimatum: “It’s happened already, but now you must quit singing and go back to school. ”For the first time, Hirut stood her ground. With a calm but resolute voice, she said, “I didn’t bring shame to our family. I love to sing, and no one can stop me from doing what I love.” Enraged, Ato Kinfemichael, who had always been a figure of authority and respect, disowned her. He removed her name from his will and declared, “I don’t know you, and I will never have anything to do with you as long as you are a singer.” He left the house, disgusted and disappointed.

With a newfound determination, Hirut firmly told her family to stay out of her way, asserting that she would follow her passion and do what made her happy. As her debut song, "Ye-Hare Shererit," started playing on the radio, her family's initial shock and disapproval began to waver. The song was an instant hit, and Hirut quickly rose to fame.

Hearing her voice on the radio for the first time, the family couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and regret. They gradually began to realize that they had made a mistake in trying to suppress her dreams. Fearing they might lose their beloved daughter entirely, they started to become more supportive. As Hirut's star continued to rise, so did her family's admiration and pride in her achievements. They came to understand that her talent was a gift to be celebrated, not a source of shame. She published her first album on a 45-PRM record in 1961, and the release of her second album in 1962 helped her gain popularity and success on the national music scene. But little did she know, this moment of triumph would spark a chain of events worthy of a dramatic thriller.

At the time, the Police Orchestra was searching for a singer who could rival the reigning icons of Ethiopian music, Tilahun Gessesse and Bizunesh Bekele. Hirut’s song reached the ears of Tesfaye Abebe, a composer for the Police Orchestra, as he strolled past a shop where her music played on the radio. Struck by the sheer brilliance of her voice, Tesfaye hurried to inform his superiors. They quickly realized Hirut was the answer to their quest. However, she was under the Army Force Orchestra’s banner, and luring her away would be no simple feat. A plan began to form—a plan so audacious it could easily have been a scene from a spy novel.

After much deliberation, the Police Orchestra’s leadership devised a covert operation to bring Hirut into their fold. First, they offered her a deal so enticing it would be hard to refuse. Yet, the young singer was understandably terrified of how the Army Force Orchestra might react. The Police assured her and her mother of her safety, crafting an elaborate strategy to extract her from the situation.

One fateful night, as the stars watched over the quiet streets, three jeeps armed with machine guns rolled out from the Police Orchestra’s camp in Kolfe. In the lead jeep were soldiers, their faces set with determination. The middle vehicle carried Tesfaye Abebe and other high-ranking officials, while the rear jeep mirrored the first, bristling with weaponry and readiness. They arrived at Hirut’s home under cover of darkness. Villagers gathered, alarmed and protective of the young singer they adored, demanding to know why the police were there. The officers’ stern warnings quelled the crowd as Hirut, clutching a small piece of luggage, emerged from her home. With her mother’s tearful blessing, she climbed into the jeep, and the convoy sped away into the night, taking her straight to her staying place at Kolfe.

The plan unfolded seamlessly. At the police station, Hirut’s name was registered under a fabricated offense, ensuring her protection under the law. She was then whisked away to Kolfe, where she was housed in a specially secured unit, guarded day and night by elite police forces. For months, she remained hidden from the outside world, training rigorously and preparing for her debut with the Police Orchestra. Meanwhile, the Army Force Orchestra was relentless in their search for her, questioning her mother and investigating her disappearance. But Hirut was beyond their reach.

The tension between the orchestras reached its peak as the New Year’s Eve musical competition approached. This annual event was a prestigious showcase, pitting the Police Orchestra against the Army Force Orchestra and other musical ensembles. The Police Orchestra’s strategy for Hirut’s unveiling was as bold as her recruitment. To avoid provoking their rivals prematurely, they kept her participation a closely guarded secret.

On the night of the competition, the theater buzzed with anticipation. A mysterious woman entered the hall, her face partially obscured by a scarf and glasses. Four Israel-trained special forces members flanked her, drawing whispers from the audience. Many speculated she was a high-ranking government official. As the Police Orchestra began their performance, the excitement in the room grew. Then, the moment arrived. A famous Police Force announcer stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, we have a very special guest. Many of you know her from her unforgettable songs. Please welcome Hirut Bekele.”

The audience froze, their disbelief palpable. Whispers rippled through the crowd: Wasn’t she missing? Wasn’t she with the Army Force Orchestra? Hirut rose from her seat, her poise and grace unmistakable, and walked to the stage. The theater erupted into thunderous applause, cheers, and chants of her name.

Her performance was electric. Every note, every lyric reaffirmed her star power. But as she mesmerized the audience, a storm brewed outside. The Army Force Orchestra had discovered her presence and called in reinforcements to surround the theater. The Police Orchestra, anticipating such a move, executed their final gambit. As Hirut finished her last song and the audience roared their approval, the theater was plunged into darkness. Amid the chaos, Hirut’s guards swiftly escorted her out through a side exit. She was ushered into an unmarked car, which sped away into the night, taking her straight to her staying place at Kolfe. Moments later, the lights flickered back on, and the Police Orchestra resumed the event as if nothing had happened.

The Army Force Orchestra’s hopes of reclaiming Hirut were dashed. The following weeks, negotiations ensued at the highest levels, culminating in an agreement that allowed Hirut to remain with the Police Orchestra. She chose to stay, dedicating the next 35 years of her life to the ensemble until her retirement in 1994. The room where she had stayed during her dramatic transfer became a symbol of resilience and history, even hosting Nelson Mandela during his training in Ethiopia in 1962.

Hirut Bekele’s journey from a promising young singer to an icon of Ethiopian music is a story of courage, talent, and the extraordinary lengths taken to protect and nurture art. It’s a tale that transcends music, capturing the spirit of a time when passion and ambition wove legends into the fabric of history.

The following three decades saw a steady rise in Hirut's popularity, garnering her numerous awards and prizes for her contributions to the industry. She traveled extensively around the nation and the world, making a significant contribution to the Golden Age of Ethiopian music, which lasted from the early 1960s to the late 1980s. Hirut recorded more than 200 songs over her illustrious career, a remarkable feat. From 1961 through 1976 alone, she released 38 songs on Phonograph Record (45 RPM). From 1977 until her retirement in 1994, she released 14 cassette albums, each containing 10 songs.

Throughout the course of her incredible career, Hirut had collaborated effectively with a wide range of artists, including Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete, Mesfin Haile, Tadele Bekele, Theodros Tadesse, Melkamu Tebeje, and many more.

A legendary singer known for her incredible vocal range and unforgettable organ accompaniment, has been admired for both her charm and distinctive tone. She gave listeners gorgeous tunes, brilliant organ and kirar orchestrations, and stunning recordings of the psychedelic music she created. She is a true diva in the annals of Ethiopian music history due to her personality and her talent. Many of today's generation of young Ethiopian singers are said to have been influenced by her work.

After leaving the entertainment business in 1994, Hirut experienced a profound transformation in her life. She turned her focus toward her faith and fully committed herself to serving Jesus. Over the next three decades, Hirut's devotion to her spiritual journey became the cornerstone of her life. She immersed herself in spiritual service, dedicating her time and energy to the church and her community.

Hirut became an active member of Meserete Kristos Church, where she not only attended services but also served God by singing gospel songs and taking on various roles to support and uplift the congregation. Her incredible voice, which had once captivated audiences in grand theaters, now resonated within the walls of the church, bringing solace and inspiration to those who heard her sing. Hirut's gospel recordings, which included three albums, became a testament to her faith and her unwavering commitment to spreading the message of love, hope, and redemption. All the profits from her albums were donated to her church.

Hirut also regularly ventured into different parts of the country, often traveling to remote and challenging areas with no transportation or accommodations. She reached out to people in these regions, serving them by singing and spreading the word of God, and bringing countless souls to the kingdom of God. During her musical career, Hirut had traveled to many countries, introducing Ethiopian music and even learning and singing in different languages. Now, she traveled around the world to spread the word of God and bring as many souls as possible to the kingdom of God. Her unwavering dedication to her faith and her selfless service to others left an indelible mark on her community and the church. Hirut's faith remained her guiding light, helping her navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience. Her journey from a celebrated singer to a devoted servant of God inspired many and showcased the transformative power of faith and love.

In her later years, Hirut battled diabetes but remained resilient. She spent her final years surrounded by her children and grandchildren in the United States, where she received the best medical care. Despite her illness, she remained joyful and grateful, always praising God for His blessings. By her request, Hirut returned to her beloved Ethiopia to spend her remaining days.

On May 12, 2023, Hirut passed away peacefully at her home in Addis Ababa, surrounded by her loved ones. Her death marked the end of an era, but her legacy lives on. Hirut's funeral service took place at Hager Fiquir Theater, the very stage where her extraordinary singing career began. It was a heartfelt and emotional gathering, drawing fans, fellow artists, and dignitaries who came to pay their final respects. Led by the Police Marching Band, the procession moved solemnly through the streets of Addis Ababa. Her casket, carried by a hearse, was accompanied by the poignant melodies of her most beloved songs, as mourners sang along and celebrated the legacy she left behind. The funeral ceremony was held at Petros Wo Paulos Church, where the sound of trumpets echoed alongside powerful sermons, creating a solemn and reverent atmosphere. As Hirut was laid to rest, her music and spirit continued to live on, touching the hearts of millions and inspiring generations to come.

The funeral was a grand affair, led by the Police Marching Band. It was attended by many of her colleagues, officials, and admirers who came to pay their respects to the legendary singer and cherished member of the community. The procession through the streets was a testament to the immense impact Hirut had on Ethiopian music and culture, and the profound loss felt by so many. Her final resting place became a symbol of her enduring legacy and the remarkable life she lived.

Her legacy continues to resonate within the realm of Ethiopian music, and she is remembered as a pioneer who broke barriers and inspired generations.

Hirut was the mother of seven children, ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Achievements and Awards  Hirut Bekele has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to her profession, to name a few: 
1) Gold Bracelet, for outstanding performance, from his Majesty Haile Selassie I.  2) Silver plated trophy for her service and high achievements from the Police Orchestra Band.

3) Appreciation Award for her contributions to the Ethiopian culture from former Ethiopian President Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam. 
4) Gold medal for her exemplary performance from the hands of former North Korean President Kim Il Sung. 
5) Award of special recognition and appreciation for outstanding gospel artist from Meserete Kristos Church. 
6) Service Award for her commitment to religious life from Gospel Light International Church.