Teddy Afro

Tewodros Kassahun Germamo (Amharic: ቴዎድሮስ ካሳሁን ገርማሞ; born 14 July 1976), known professionally as Teddy Afro, is an Ethiopian singer-songwriter. As influential figure, Teddy Afro is dubbed as "the greatest artist of all of time" and renowned for conveyance in political sentiment.[1] Teddy Afro is considered as having a huge cultural impact on the Ethiopian music industry and has a big influence on many aspiring artists. Teddy Afro is often compared to Tilahun Gessesse for his unique ability of songwriting, musical style, and nationalistic sentiments. His 2017 song "Ethiopia" has over 19 million views on YouTube.

Teddy Afro
Teddy Afro performing in Melbourne, Australia, June 2011
Background information
Birth nameTewodros Kassahun Germamo
Born (1976-07-14) 14 July 1976
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
OriginAddis Ababa, Ethiopia
Genres
Occupation(s)
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2001–present
LabelsNahom Records
Associated actsAbugida Band
Websitewww.teddyafromuzika.com

Life and career

1976–2001: Early years

Tewodros Kassahun was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 14 July 1976 to singer, songwriter Kassahun Germamo and Tilaye Arage, a dancer. Despite involving with the entertainment industry, his parents encouraged him to pursue his music career.[2]

2001–2007: Abugida, Lebbo and Yasteseryal

Teddy Afro made his debut in 2001 with the album Abugida, quickly establishing himself as a prominent voice in his native country. Mixing reggae, traditional Ethiopian styles, and pop music, his sophomore LP, 2005's Yastesereyal yielded a major hit in its controversial title track, which criticized corruption in the country's government. The song "Dahlak" talks about the division of Ethiopia and Eritrea in terms of couples separating. Four of the album's songs were subsequently banned from media outlets, though "Yastesereyal" sales and influence remained controversial.

His second album Lebo was done in 2000 but released in 2002.

His third album, Yasteseryal was released in 2005. This album was one of the most influential and controversial. Teddy Afro's lyrical sentiments and the release of this album coincided with the elevated political tension in Ethiopia surrounding the 2005 Ethiopian general election. The government banned four of his songs including "Yasteseryal" from playing on Ethiopian media outlets. On 6 December 2006, Teddy Afro was convicted of alleged hit-and-run incident during the 2005 Ethiopian general election.[3] Nonetheless, the album sold more than a million copies within a few months after its release.[4]

2012–present: Tikur Sew, Ethiopia and upcoming projects

After his breakthrough, Teddy Afro released fourth album, Tikur Sew in 2012. The album Tikur Sew (black person) is dedicated to Emperor Menelik II and the Battle of Adwa, the war of colonial resistance between the Ethiopian forces and the Italian Empire in 1896. The album was the most expensive and most widely sold album in Ethiopia after his fifth album Ethiopia.

On 22 August 2014, Teddy Afro released "Be 70 Dereja", with 9.1 million views in YouTube within two years. The music video set in 1970s-themed black-and-white scenarios in Ethiopia, including several monuments and places.[5]

Teddy Afro's fifth album, Ethiopia was officially released on 2 May 2017, reached the top of the Billboard World Albums chart in that month, at which time more than 600,000 units had been sold.[6][7]

On 3 August 2020, Teddy Afro released "Demo Be Abay". The song is dedicated to Abbay, the river that flows across western Ethiopia. The verse "che below" in the song became catchphrase that resembles the song's title.[8]

Personal life

Kassahun lives in Addis Ababa. He is married to Ethiopian actress, model, and producer Amleset Muchie since 2012. They have two children, Michael Tewodros and Yemariam Tewodros.[9]

On 6 December 2006, Tewodros Kassahun was jailed for four years in connection with an alleged hit-and-run incident during 2005 Ethiopian general election. Some also believe that former political party TPLF made up the incident to put him in jail. He was accused with driving under the influence when he rammed a 40 years old homeless man. The government sentenced him to six years in prison, and fined with 18000 birr ($1,755). With good behavior, Teddy Afro was released in August 2009.[10][2]

Discography

Albums
Album Information
Abugida
  • Released: 2001
  • Record Label: Nahom Records
  • Singles: "Lijinet Alat", "Leman Lemash", "Mona Lisa", "Abugida", "Lela Alawkim", "Ayne Hul Gize", "Haile Haile", "Baygermish", "Birabiro", "Haile Selassie", "Hewan Endewaza"
Lebbo
  • Released: 2002
  • Singles: "Lebbo", "Wazendiro", "Shegnehush", "Guadegna", "Gud Serachign", "Tizibt", "Hagere", "Wub Aleme", "Lame Bora", "Qezebiye", "Tsigereda"
Tarik Tesera
  • Released: 2004
  • Record Label: Evangadi Production
  • Singles: "Tarik Tesera (Anbessa)"
Yasteseryal
  • Released: 2005
  • Record Label: Nahom Records
  • Executive Producer: Elias Fikru and Nathenael Gemechu
  • Singles: "Yasteseryal", "Bel Sitegne", "Lambadina", "Promise", "Alamin"
Yasteseryal Edition 2
  • Released: 2005
  • Record Label:
  • Executive Producer: Elias Fikru
  • Singles: "Yasteseryal", "Bel Sitegne", "Lambadina", "Promise", "Alamin", "Seleme", "Kier Yhon", "Shemendafer", "Balderesu", "Semie Lelieleh Afe", "Lemn Yhon", "Tizita", "Hab Dahlak", "Itegie", "Nigeregne Kalshima"
Best Collection - Nahom Volume 14
  • Released: 2006
  • Record Label: Nahom Records
  • Singles: "Menta Wedije", "Yregal", "Lamie Bora", "Wede Hagere Bet"
Gizzie Lekulu
  • Released: 2007
  • Singles: "Gizzie Lekulu"
Tikur Sew
  • Released: 2012
  • Record Label: AdikaRecords
  • Singles: "Tikur Sew", "Tenanekegn", "O Africaye", "Ayzenegas Libe", "Sile Fikir", "Chewatash", "Kelal Yihonal", "Tsebaye Senay", "Hilim Ayidegemim", "Des Yemil Sikay", "Fiyorina"
Ethiopia
  • Released: 2017
  • Singles: "Ethiopia" (ኢትዮጵያ), "Sembere" (ሠምበሬ), "Mar Eske Tuaf" (ማር እስከ ጧፍ), "Anna Nyaatu" (አና ኛቱ), "Mematsene" (መማፀኔ), "Tamolshal" (ታሞልሻል), "Yamral" (ያምራል), "Atse Tewodros" (አፄ ቴዎድሮስ), "Emma Zend Yider" (እማ ዘንድ ይደር), "Marakiye" (ማራኪዬ), "Amen" (አሜን), "Adey" (አደይ), "Nat Baro" (ናት ባሮ), "Olan Yizo" (ኦላን ይዞ)

DVDs
DVD Information
Tarik Tesera
  • Released: 2004
  • Record Label: Nahom Records
  • Executive Producer: Elias Fikru
  • Singles: "Tarik Tesera (Anbessa)"
Yasteseryal - DVD
  • Released: 2005
  • Record Label: Nahom Records
  • Executive Producer: Elias Fikru
  • Singles: "Yasteseryal", "Promise", "Anbessa", "Seleme"

References
  1. Orgeret, Kristin Skare (1 November 2008). "When will the Daybreak Come?". Nordicom Review. 29 (2): 231–244. doi:10.1515/nor-2017-0188. ISSN 2001-5119.
  2. "Teddy Afro's Biography". Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  3. "Login • Ethiopian News Forum". www.ethiopianreview.com.
  4. "When will the daybreak come? Popular music and political processes in Ethiopia". www.ethiomedia.com.
  5. "Addisfortune- The Largest English Weekly in Ethiopia!". addisfortune.net. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  6. "World Music: Top World Albums the week of May 20, 2017". Billboard. Eldridge. 20 May 2017. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  7. Elias Meseret (13 May 2017). "Ethiopia's star singer Teddy Afro makes plea for openness". The Washington Post. AP. ISSN 0190-8286.
  8. "TEDDY AFRO - DEMO BE ABAY - With Lyrics [New! Official Single 2020]". Borkena Ethiopian News. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  9. "Teddy Afro and Amleset Muche dancing with Teddy's New song, Tewodros". Awramba Times. 6 May 2017.
  10. "Ethiopia: Teddy Afro's prison term reduced by 4 years".
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