There are sounds…and there is music. The latter, in the case of contemporary Ethiopian entertainment would be applied to a multitude of musical artists, but no one can deny the fact that Teddy Afro (real name, Tewodros Kassahun) has embodied what Ethiopian "musica" truly means, and goes beyond it’s definition. This prolific musician has transcended boundaries beyond belief, and has recently found himself in heated controversy surrounding that very dynamism of his work.
To give a brief background on Teddy, it would be useful to understand the types of music from his past album releases and its correlation with the current political scene of Ethiopia. One of his most popular albums, Abugida, built up the anticipation of what was yet to come from this musical phenom as it gave a snippet of the pride that he was going to be invoking amongst his fellow countrymen. Even as an Ethiopian-American at the tender age of eleven years old upon release of this album, I found myself listening to and engaging with this album on repeat every chance that I received, all while singing along to any and every word that I’d be able to latch onto. Belting out beautiful tunes ranging from a tribute to the late Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, in the track “Girmawineto” all the way to “Mona Lisa” which explicated upon the facets of beauty in all of humankind, Teddy Afro was just preparing his world-wide listeners for what they were about to hear…and witness.
Teddy Afro’s audience members were unprepared for the personal connection they received upon pressing play on his next, and third, album, “Yasteseryal”. What made Teddy’s tunes even more inspirational was that at the time of this album’s release, the political scene of Ethiopia was getting even more heated with political controversies that were unveiling itself over the course of the year, as they were, for the most part, tied to the General Election of Ethiopia in 2005. In turn, “Yasteseryal” did not cease in addressing these very pressing issues.
Boiling over with political out roar, “Yasteseryal” was a force, though cliché, to be reckoned with. One of the most famous songs on the album (and self-evidently the name of the album itself), “Yasteseryal,” spoke out against the current political regime all while sparking concern, and in some cases, fear on the part of the governmental officials. This in turn led to it’s (and several other songs on the album) to be banned from publically being aired via television or radio stations.
This controversy, however, seemed to be unceasing. Just shortly thereafter, in 2008, Teddy Afro was accused and jailed for a supposed hit-and-run manslaughter that many speculate to actually be a sentencing in response to his politically charged music and/or his call for unity amongst his Ethiopian kinsmen. Fortunately for Teddy Afro, and his fans across the globe, his sentence was reduced from six to two years; Throughout this time, however, fans were right by his side – though not physically, but definitely mentally and spiritually. I personally remember visiting Addis Ababa during the summer of 2008 and driving past Kaliti Jail (the prison within which Teddy Afro was imprisoned) and experiencing a sense of internal remorse and sorrow. As an eighteen-year-old American-born Ethiopian at the time, I deem that it was, and is, safe to say that Teddy Afro has managed to invoke within his listeners a feeling that cannot be explained by use of mere words found in the average dictionary.
Luckily, Teddy Afro was shortly released approximately eight months earlier than was intended…and his presence was felt on the continent of Africa, all the way to the continent of Asia. He was released with a bang, and the world reverberated with the tunes of Teddy’s re-debut after his highly anticipated prison-release. To this day, Teddy has had concerts all across the world, and one of his most famous shows to date took place at the famous DC Armory to celebrate the beginning of the 2010 New Year. What better way to ring in 2010 than to sway to the words of Teddy Afro’s inspirational music and lyricism…to jump in excitement and bask in the strumming tunes of traditional Ethiopian instrumentation played by the famed “Abugida Band”…or to even delight yourself in the forever-famous “Eskista” dancing with your fellow concert goers? Whatever your reasons for attending this legendary show, you were in for an experience…and one that will never be forgotten.
[On that note – Please enjoy the video provided. One of Teddy's most popular and passionate songs released, “Abebayehosh” gives a small taste of the melodic music that one can enjoy from this world-renowned musician, and that especially complements the New Years celebration…and beyond!]
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