Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Helena is a singer, songwriter, dancer and filmmaker. This young performer chanced upon the stage as a member of Tis Abbay Band of Montreal at 13.   As one of the new generation of Africans growing up in North America she began writing, singing, rapping, and making beats in a style that is surely Hip Hop, but with an Ethiopic slant. She sings and rhymes in Amharic, English, and French.

Helena is also a talented dancer and choreographer with Nouvel Exposé Dance Troupe.  Her performances include opening for Aster Aweke and Teddy Afro.  In 2002 she released the Amharic Hip Hop CD, Guzo Wode Ethiopia (Journey to Ethiopia) with her brother Rasselas under Homegrown Records. On her visit to Ethiopia for the Ethiopian Millenium, she appeared on ETV and many stages in Addis Ababa with Lafontain’s Tadele Roba and Berhanu Tezera, including a performance at  Beyoncé and Ludacris’ concert. She has also directed videos and released two singles in Ethiopia – Gud Yafelash Anchi (Scandalous Lady) and Kalkidan (Promise) with Rasselas, as well as the full length CD Tsetita, in Canada.  Helena is currently a film student at York University.  www.helulive.com