IZN ANBESSAS is a crew and movement of brothers and sisters who have decided to create roots reggae music to spread the Rastafari vibes to the four corners of the earth, with the aim of providing tangible support to elders Rastafarians in Jamaica through the support and collaboration of the Word Sound and Power Collective.
The name ‘IZN Anbessas’ comes from the three countries of origin of the first three ‘lions’ who started the movement: Italy, Zambia and Nigeria. Lion in Amharic is called ‘Anbessa’. The sound ‘IZN’ recalls ‘Ises’ or praises to God and also recalls ‘Zion’ or the ‘Holy place’ or ‘Kingdom of Heaven’.
One of the hallmarks of IZN Anbessas is undoubtedly the creation of this alchemy between the voices of the singers involved and the use of the chromatic harmonica—an instrument that is still often disparaged or even considered a mere toy—as we strive to express mystical melodies and, in our own small way, help raise its standing.