ZENA

ZENA, comprised of keyboardist-producer Yohan Kebede (Kokoroko) and bassist-producer Menelik, is rooted in the Ethio-jazz that wafted through their childhood homes like the warmth and sacredness of etan, Ethiopian aromatic frankincense. ZENA upholds the vibrancy and innovation of the London scene both were born out of. It’s mystical yet unorthodox, soulful yet sexy, pulling from alternative R&B, trip-hop, dub and psychedelic influences; ZENA is taking the timeless sonics of Ethiopia beyond the motherland. The duo’s debut EP, TEMESGEN (out March 20, 2026, via Brownswood Recordings), is a six-track aural odyssey named after the Amharic word meaning “to be thankful.” It balances uncompromising experimentation with a deep sense of home, comfort, and exploration, allowing a profound gratitude for their shared heritage to permeate the project.