Mengisteab was born in 1938 in Hazega, an Eritrean village approximately 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Asmara, the nation's current capital.

He remained with the orchestra for over a decade and performed with them across Ethiopia, as well as in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, at the 1966 Festival mondial des Arts Nègres in Senegal, and at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

[1] During the mid-1970s, Mengisteab was the only Eritrean artist broadcast on Ethiopian radio; his krar music and usage of the Tigrinya language contributed to his popularity.

[4] Mengisteab was one of several experienced artists who contributed to the ELF's sociocultural and political transformation, as well as to nationalist propaganda efforts.

During his time in exile, he often performed in Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Djibouti; he also made his North American debut in 1980.

[1] In 1993, when Eritrea declared its independence and gained international recognition, Mengisteab was invited to tour the country and performed in Massawa, Keren, and Asmara.