Motherland Sounds Is LA’s Must-Attend East African Party

The door team greeted each guest with warmth and style, setting the tone for what lay inside. Thick with hookah smoke and heavy bass, the air pulsed as the DJ spun a soundscape rooted in East African mixes.

Beautiful Black faces filled the room while conversations buzzed. Old friends reunited, and strangers quickly became kin. At the bar, honey wine flowed steadily. Mereba was the guest host.

Whether guests came to dance, unwind, or simply take it all in, one thing was clear: this wasn't just a party.Motherland Sounds is a cultural event and movement redefining how East African culture is celebrated in the diaspora.

"It's a very come-as-you-are type of environment," Addis Daniel, co-founder and artistic director of Motherland Sounds, tells OkayAfrica. "You walk in and immediately feel like you're seen. People are stylish, and the energy is up but grounded. It's not about exclusivity; it's about belonging."

What began in 2023 as a casual launch for a honey wine brand has since evolved into one of LA's most intentional cultural platforms. Founded by five creatives — Daniel, Miriam Haregot, Tamé Bezabeh, Yonas Michael, and Denkinesh Argaw —their mission was to create a contemporary space that amplifies East African identity, particularly that of Ethiopians and Eritreans, through sound, visuals, and community.

The Roots of a Movement

Long before Motherland Sounds officially came together, its foundation was being laid during the pandemic. Daniel says that it was a collaborative time among East African artists and creatives in Los Angeles. They organized conversations and informal gatherings focused on Ethiopia and Eritrea, particularly in response to the political conflicts that had started back home.

These early efforts were as much about community as they were about activism. The group explored how diaspora artists, many of whom are first- or second-generation, could utilize their creativity and cultural capital to raise awareness and express solidarity. How do you stay connected to home while building something meaningful abroad?

"We asked how we can utilize our art and our cultural capital to bring attention to what's happening, and then also to bring attention to what we have going on," Daniel says.

Motherland Sounds is also an effort to shift the spotlight to East Africa, at a time when music and aesthetics from West and South Africa dominate the global stage. While Ethiopia and Eritrea are recognized for their ancient histories and cuisine, their cultures remain underrepresented in modern diaspora narratives. This gap is especially striking in Los Angeles — home to America's entertainment industry — where Ethiopians and Eritreans have long been present. Their community is centered along Fairfax Avenue, in the officially designated "Little Ethiopia," yet public cultural expressions have mostly been limited to weddings, church events, or family gatherings.

For first and second-generation Habesha youth, Motherland Sounds offers a new cultural space. "This is something people can share with non-East African friends," says Daniel. "It's a source of pride. And for people outside the community, it's a door that's been burst open. It's a space to connect."

So it's not surprising that Motherland Sounds also echoes the legacy of Nipsey Hussle, the late rapper and entrepreneur of Eritrean descent who built his movement in South LA. Hussle was always proud of his roots. As a result, his spirit is a guiding presence for the collective, which honored him in an event on his birthday in 2024. "Nipsey proved you can hold space for your community and still think globally," Daniel says.

Music Takes Centre Stage

Music is the heart of the Motherland Sounds experience. It's curated with a deep understanding of "the assignment," the team's shorthand for their commitment to authentically representing East Africa and beyond. The DJs selected are chosen based on their ability to curate a diverse range of African sounds, not just their popularity.

"It's about championing those eclectic sounds from the continent," Daniel says. "And if all you know how to do is play whatever the latest amapiano hit is, then Burna Boy and Wizkid, and that's your whole Afrobeats set — no shade — but I don't know if you can really stick to the assignment."

DJ Arkie Tadesa, a regular at the events, is known for delivering what they call an "Arkie set." It's a selection-focused African mix, from Salif Keita to Amadou & Mariam and vintage Sudanese funk. DJ Chinua and Tana Yonas are also regulars who understand the assignment.

As attendance grows, Daniel acknowledges the challenge of maintaining intimacy from the event's early days while expanding the vision. The team is exploring smaller, members-only gatherings and spacing out their flagship events to preserve the original spirit.

"It's important that our day-one people still feel seen," she says.

Funding, too, remains a hurdle. The community powers the events, but Daniel admits it can be hard. "Nobody talks about how much support, financial and otherwise, you need to do something like this." But there are discussions about taking the event around the country and maybe even to Africa. But for now, Daniel says Motherland Sounds continues to be curated by and for a new generation of diasporans reclaiming their narrative.

"We've always been here. Now, we've got a space that says it out loud."