Wrapped in Green, Gold, Red
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YJ’s “Shaka Shaka” Is Diaspora Rap’s Defining Moment and a Call to Action
By Ethiopian Tribune | October 1, 2025
In a music industry often driven by spectacle and short-lived virality, “Shaka Shaka” by YJ (Yeabsra Justice) arrives as something deeper, a lyrical reckoning wrapped in rhythm and draped in heritage. The official music video, now streaming on YouTube, is a must-watch. Not just for its sonic polish or visual flair, but for the moment it captures: YJ, walking through London’s streets, proudly wearing the Ethiopian flag. It’s not a costume. It’s a covenant. Green, gold, and red wrapped around his shoulders like a birthright.
Born at just 26 weeks premature in Barnet Hospital, YJ’s life began with uncertainty. His father, Mr. Aynalem Mebratu, a respected electrical engineer and pillar of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) community in London recalls the three-month hospital stay and the fragile hope that defined those early days. His mother, described as a “strong mom,” nurtured him through it all. Diagnosed with autism from birth, YJ now calls his condition a “superpower” a source of tenacity, vision, and creative fire. Raised in Enfield, his family remained in the UK for years due to ongoing medical needs, delaying Mr. Aynalem’s return to Ethiopia.
But while YJ was growing into his voice, his father was building foundations literally. Mr. Aynalem has been instrumental in organizing fundraising efforts for two major EOTC churches in London: Debretsion of St Mary and Debre-Genet Holy Trinity. Both buildings are now owned by the EOTC Synod, thanks to the tireless work of community leaders like him. His dedication to faith, heritage, and collective uplift is now mirrored in his son’s artistic rise. The reward is generational: spiritual legacy meets sonic legacy.
YJ began making music in 2019 at Wesley, a special school, treating it as a hobby. But a talent show performance at Leicester Square rough, raw, and unexpectedly viral changed everything. Instead of retreating, YJ leaned in. Artists like KSI reached out. The internet didn’t break him. It built him.
His breakout single “No Diddy”, released in August 2024, was born from emotional urgency and strategic beat selection. It led to performances at London’s O2 Arena-twice. YJ credits his stage comfort to childhood acting, including Shakespeare plays like Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest. His father shares that YJ spends up to 16 hours a day immersed in music and fan feedback. This isn’t a hobby anymore. It’s a calling.
Managed by Unexpected Media a team that first defended him from online bullying and includes a manager with low-functioning autism, YJ’s career is built on empathy, structure, and resilience. He’s not chasing fame. He’s building demand, carefully avoiding exploitation. Negative comments don’t faze him. He turns discomfort into humor, overthinking into art.
“Shaka Shaka”, released in late September 2025, is his latest and most personal offering. The lyrics are a tapestry of self-reliance, emotional reflection, and quiet defiance. “I survive all alone and I had to grab the bag on my own,” he raps, distilling years of struggle into a single line. He speaks of betrayal “I really can’t believe that she lied” and loneliness: “Sometimes I cry alone, sometimes I smile alone and go solo.” There’s healing too, through music and metaphor: “Let me feel it while I’m healing, let me feel the effects of the drink I’m sipping on.” And there’s self-worth, quietly asserted: “I don’t need to seek the attention I already got from my friends and my lover.”
Last year, YJ appeared on EBS’s Seyfu Show, and has since been featured across multiple online platforms, building a loyal fanbase among Ethiopian Gen Z and diaspora youth. His music is loved, shared, and quoted. He’s not just known he’s cherished.
And now, the moment demands more. Shaka Shaka isn’t just a release it’s a rallying cry. Ethiopian artists, producers, and performers especially those in the diaspora are called to stand up against autism and disability discrimination. Collaboration isn’t just creative it’s political. By working with artists like YJ, the community can build inclusive stages, amplify unheard voices, and create opportunities that reflect the full spectrum of Ethiopian talent.
This is a call to Kassmasse, whose lyrical militancy has shaped a generation. To Wogdawit, whose poetic fire burns through every verse. To Lij Michael, whose revolutionary cadence electrifies stages. And to Abel Tesfaye AKA “The Weeknd” whose global mystique proves that Ethiopian artistry knows no borders. YJ is not asking for validation. He’s offering a bridge.
At 21, YJ stands at a crossroads armed with streaming momentum, radio recognition, and a fiercely loyal digital community. His team says only “big things” lie ahead. The rest, they say, is “up to God.” But if “Shaka Shaka” is any indication, YJ isn’t just next, he’s necessary.
Watch the clip. Feel the rhythm. Read the flag. The future of diaspora rap is wrapped in it.
Artist Profile
Name: YJ (Yeabsra Justice)
Born: September 28, 2004
Base: Enfield / Barnet, London
Heritage: Ethiopian
Streaming Platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
TikTok: @yeabsrajustice
Instagram: @yeabsrajustice
Snapchat: Yeppyjustice
Inquiries: yj@dlaworld.com
Management: Unexpected Media
Family Tribute:
Mr. Aynalem Mebratu, father of YJ, is a respected electrical engineer and community leader. He has played a key role in fundraising and securing permanent buildings for Debretsion of St Mary and Debre-Genet Holy Trinity Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches in London—both now owned by the EOTC Synod. His dedication to faith and community is reflected in his son’s rising artistic legacy.
