Raised in West London with Ethiopian and Egyptian roots, alt-soul hyphenate Alewya treats heritage as something active rather than archival. She doesnât move like a conventional artist, describing herself as a painter who makes music, which makes sense when you sit with her songs.
Despite the meditative quality to her work, UK soundsystem legend Shy FX serves as executive producer on her upcoming debut album âZeroâ. Itâs this duality that encapsulates her sound, drawing influences from her African roots and UK club culture alike.
New single âEshiâ leans fully into the more spiritual side. Built around the masenqo, the track starts spare before gradually gathering weight, the rhythm tightening and lifting into a chant-led crescendo that feels grounded and expansive.
Speaking on the track, she puts it simply: ââEshiâ is rooted in tradition but unbound by it too, which is one of the pillars of âZeroââ.
The video was shot in Lalibela during Gena. It centres people and place; community, movement and shared ritual sitting at the core, in line with the wider themes shaping this next phase of her work.