Popular music in Ethiopia started in 20th century with the advent of western influence and mostly blended with the traditional Ethiopian music genre. The first band was formed in 1924, which came from Armenia and served as the royal band of Emperor Haile Selassie. After the World War II, large orchestras accompanied the singers such as Army Band, Police Band, and Imperial Bodyguard Band. From 1960s to 1970s, the Ethiopian Golden Age of music altered the popular music industry with numerous singers marked their popularity such as Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmoud Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete.
The music industry impeded development during the Derg era, where persecution of musicians occurred and exiled from the country. A unique musical mode called "sem ena werq" ("wax and gold") revived; Neway Debebe used this style to criticize the government action. After the fall of the Derg, the music industry was revitalized; many singers like Gigi, Munit Mesfin, and Meklit Hadero returned to their home country and influenced with westernized mode. From 2000s, popular music changed its form, implementing modern genres like EDM, rock and hip-hop.
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