Latest news with #Lella
The Star
25-04-2025
- The Star
Online threats in Ethiopia reveal content moderation failures
ADDIS ABABA: Lella Mesikir built a huge following with online posts about gender rights in Ethiopia but says a lack of local language content moderation has forced her to flee into exile. Analysts say social media in countries like Ethiopia can be particularly lawless since their systems often fail to filter out hate speech in local languages. Lella's nightmare began on Oct 22 when she posted a video on TikTok calling on women to flee abusive partners. An Ethiopian influencer described the message as a "hate campaign against men" and disrespectful of the country's religion and culture. Other posts suggested she was pro-LGBTQ – a serious accusation in a country where same-sex relationships can lead to 15 years in prison – or even in league with the devil due to the tattoos on her fingers. Lella said a TikTok group was created specifically targeting her, including calls for her murder. In November, the 32-year-old feminist saw no choice but to flee to neighbouring Kenya. "I had to leave my family, my job and everything I had in Ethiopia due to the threats," she told AFP, crying heavily. "I am devastated," she added, saying the episode had left her with both psychological and financial problems. 'Horrific comments' Lella said TikTok bears some responsibility as it "abysmally fails" to moderate content in Amharic, the most common language in Ethiopia, as well as regional languages Tigrinya and Afaan Oromoo. "I've seen so many videos made by Ethiopian men on TikTok, making horrific comments about women, but nothing is being done," she said. TikTok told AFP it had "zero tolerance for misogyny and hate speech" and removes 92% of content before it is reported to them, using "a combination of technology and human moderation in over 70 languages, including Amharic". Those claims were disputed by Workineh Diribsa, a journalism professor at Ethiopia's Jimma University, who said TikTok had become a breeding ground for "extremely dangerous" content. "Audio recordings of schoolgirls being gang-raped, graphic footage of beheadings and torture by militants and violent extremism are often streamed live," he said. Some influencers in Ethiopia have even used such content to increase their followers. A study released this month by the Centre for Information Resilience, a British NGO, found social media was exacerbating Ethiopia's multiple political, ethnic and religious conflicts. "In Ethiopia, online hate speech has already had lethal consequences," Felicity Mulford, research manager at CIR, told AFP. The study found "women who challenge traditional gender roles, such as those in leadership positions, sports or those advocating for feminism and women's rights, face particularly severe abuse" and accusations of "financial fraud or a conflation with lesbianism". 'Devastating consequences' Kenya is among the countries trying to force tech companies to take greater responsibility. Kenyan courts recently ruled they can hear cases brought against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, for hate speech on its platforms. One involves Meareg Amare, a university lecturer in northern Ethiopia murdered in 2021 after Facebook posts – that included his name, photo and address – accusing him of being part of the Tigrayan rebel movement, which his family denies. Meta announced in January it was ending its fact-checking programme in the United States, and there are fears this may spread to other regions, including Africa. AFP is involved in a partnership with Meta providing fact-checking services in Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. "Social media platforms' rollback of content moderation could have devastating consequences in countries such as Ethiopia, where political divisions and threats are significantly surging online," said Mulford. Ethiopia faces continued political unrest in Tigray, as well as violent insurgencies in other areas and rising tensions with neighbouring Eritrea. "The failure to moderate is not just allowing hate to thrive, it is enabling violence and human rights violations to go unchecked," said Ethiopian digital rights expert Megdelawit Getahun. – AFP
CairoScene
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Lella Fadda Performs ‘Tarat Tarat Tat' on COLORS
With a bold and unapologetic charm, Lella Fadda delivers sharp bars that cut to the bone in ethereal vocals, singing about navigating womanhood in Egypt and toxic love. Feb 13, 2025 Egyptian rapper and singer Lella Fadda debuts on the global music series COLORS with a gripping performance of 'Tarat Tarat Tat', a track from her newly released debut album, 'MAGNÜN'. Against a minimalistic soft-toned backdrop, Lella, dripped in a chic tailored black suit, pulls the audience into her sonic orbit that feels effervescent yet cloaked in dizzying darkness. With a bold and unapologetic charm, she delivers sharp bars that cut to the bone in ethereal vocals, singing about navigating womanhood in Egypt and toxic love. Once again, she strikes with precision, further asserting her intense presence in the music industry.
CairoScene
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Lella Fadda to Make Dubai Debut at Nuit de Folie x Disco Dabke 21 Feb
Taking place at 25Hours Hotel, Lella's performance will be followed by an afterparty featuring UAE-based selector VLAD. Feb 12, 2025 Dubai-based collective Nuit de Folie and Arab pop night series Disco Dabke have partnered up once again, this time hosting Egyptian singer and rap superstar Lella Fadda on February 21st. This will be her first-ever performance in Dubai. Earlier last month, Lella released her highly-anticipated debut album 'MAGNÜN', a defining release that further solidified her presence in the music industry as a multi-faceted alternative force. Taking place at 25Hours Hotel, Lella's performance will be followed by an afterparty featuring UAE-based selector Vladimir Kurumilian, aka VLAD, spinning club edits of classic Arabic sounds. To book your tickets, head to Tickit's official website, or follow the link in @ bio.
CairoScene
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Lella Fadda Stakes Her Claim With ‘MAGNÜN'
Lella Fadda Stakes Her Claim With 'MAGNÜN' Earlier last year, Lella Fadda released her single 'Fokak Meni', signaling a shift in her artistic direction - across production, performance and aesthetic. It marked the beginning of a persona rebranding, shedding the dreamer-girl aura of her earlier releases in favour of a bold, unapologetic stance that saw her fully claiming her narrative. Backed by Abyusif's production, 'Fokak Meni' ushered in a new era for Lella - one defined by a heavy rap tonality and an embrace of highly experimental hip-hop, with lyrics brimming with confidence and bravado. In the following months, Lella began rolling out her debut full-length album, 'MAGNÜN', through a series of single releases. Two of them, '7ob Bas Eh' and 'Atta3', became some of the highest-streaming hits of the year, further adding to Lella's presence in the Egyptian rap scene and perhaps reshaping perceptions of female hip-hop in Egypt. Though the one-year rollout may have stretched out longer than expected, the gradual buildup created a palpable sense of anticipation for what Lella had to offer on her first major project. Now, 'MAGNÜN' is finally here - an 11-track album clocking in at just over 24 minutes, unveiling the evolved face of Lella Fadda and putting her artistry to the test. Upon the album's release, Lella took to Instagram to advise fans to listen in order, emphasising the importance of tracklist sequencing and narrative flow. While the album may not fully deliver on that front - at least lyrically - Lella still unleashes her creativity with full force. Guided by Abyusif's wildly experimental production, she navigates these eclectic instrumentals with a command that feels entirely her own. From the outset - following the creeping instrumental intro 'Tayeb' that closes with Abyusif calling out 'LELLA,' as if passing the torch - Lella wastes no time. Her relentless bars on 'U8' make it clear: she's coming for the throne, taking shots, asserting dominance, and flexing with charisma. The beat is anything but conventional - Abyusif's production is minimal, explosive and surreal at times. In fact, one could argue that 'MAGNÜN' features some of the best production Abyusif has delivered in recent years, and Lella does her best to match it, falling short at times but emerging with command in most, proving that the two have been carefully crafting this sound for some time. Throughout the album, Lella hammers in a few key themes: this is her moment, she has no time for copycats and imitators, and she's moving on from relationships with a mix of confidence and detachment. There are also reflections on fame and materialism - delivered with a sense of disinterest, as if she's above it all, simply doing her thing better than ever. 'MAGNÜN', however, cannot be reduced to a complete shift toward expertly executed experimental rap. While that is evident in the first half of the album on tracks like 'U8', 'Fokak Meni' and '7ob Bas Eh', the album takes a more personal turn midway through. This shift is reflected in both Lella's performance and the production, as well as in the lyrics, which explore intimate and sometimes dark themes - most notably in 'Bt7lm'. The track stands out as one of the album's strongest in terms of composition and arrangement, showcasing Lella's songwriting at its most mature. A haunting and ominous piece, 'Bt7lm' paints a bleak portrait of a romantic relationship, with Lella delivering a dynamic vocal performance. Abyusif's beat heightens the track's eerie atmosphere, layering creeping synths and vocal effects that amplify the intensity of Lella's bars. Abyusif unleashes his full production alchemy on the album, crafting industrial glitch-infused instrumentals that pull Lella Fadda into a deep, dark alley of sound. His beats set the stage for her to deliver her part of the deal. For the most part, Lella rises to the occasion, matching the top-tier production. However, at times, her performance falls short in terms of technical execution, and her lyrics occasionally feel repetitive. Still, this doesn't overshadow the significant songwriting progress she has made - progress that is largely influenced by, and perhaps even shaped by, Abyusif himself. Perhaps 'MAGNÜN' would have been better suited as a self-titled project, as it feels like a real-time declaration of Lella's takeover. She reveals unseen facets of her persona and embraces themes rarely explored by female rappers. There's no moralising, no advocacy or preaching - Lella isn't positioning herself as a representative. Instead, she strikes with precision, weaving subliminal shots throughout the album, tackling heavy themes and asserting her presence with intensity.
