BIOGRAPHY
Rophnan was born and grew up in Addis Ababa as the ninth of ten siblings. His father chose the name Rophnan, which was not meant to be a word in any language, following a profound spiritual experience during prayer. At the age of ten, Rophnan began recording tapes in his classroom, where he would sing and create drum rhythms to entertain his friends. His musical style is a distinctive blend of traditional Ethiopian instruments and modern electronic music.
At 16, Rophnan released his debut mixtape, which quickly gained popularity in Ethiopian clubs. His remix of "Bemin Sebeb Litash" by Mahmoud Ahmed highlighted his talent for blending traditional Ethiopian music with electronic elements. 2014–2018: Career Beginnings During this period, Rophnan established himself as a prominent DJ, introducing EDM to Ethiopia. He held residencies at various clubs in Addis Ababa, often performing multiple shows a night. Rophnan kept his music exclusive to live performances, with tracks like "Get To Work," featuring a Gurage-inspired beat, becoming popular among Addis Ababa’s youth. His influence grew as he played major events and helped shape the local electronic music scene.
