Teddy Afro
(in Amharic: ?? ???; real name: Tewodros Kassahun
, in Amharic: ????? ????) is a popular Ethiopian singer and critic of the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).
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TEDDY AFRO TICKETS
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Rise To Fame
In 2001, Teddy Afro released his second album,
Abugida
, named after the
Abugida syllabary of the
Ge'ez language. Several tracks quickly caught the ear of many listeners in Ethiopia - "Halieselassie", a tribute to the late
Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie I; "Haile, Haile", a single in honor of the
Olympic long distance champion
Haile Gebrselassie; and "Mona Lisa", a song about the measure of human beauty.
His third album,
Yasteseryal
, was released in 2005. The release of this album coincided with elevated political tension in Ethiopia surrounding the
Ethiopian general election, 2005. His politically- and socially-inspired songs acted as a call for unity and peace and made the 17 years of TPLF-led government in power concerned. Consequently the government banned four songs including "Yasteseryal" from playing on radios and TV (http://www.ethiopianreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10689&p=53228). The album sold more than a million copies within a few months after its release, becoming the biggest selling Ethiopian music album to date.
[1].
"Yasetseryal" claims that there is no real change in Ethiopia but a new government, it also states that the
Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) fight against the
Derg is nothing but an infamous military junta.
[clarification needed] (Commentary about the song on National Public Radio (NPR)(http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10819101)). The album was not welcomed by the government but greatly accepted by the people and became one of the best selling albums.
Legal troubles
Teddy Afro was accused of hit-and-run manslaughter.
[2] He was put in jail in April 2008. The accusation is allegedly politically motivated, following the release of several songs critical of the government, especially during the May 2005 national election.
[3] Teddy pleaded not guilty to these allegations, and his court case and imprisonment were national talking points in Ethiopia
[4]. Many members of the opposition see his imprisonment as part of the regime in Ethiopia attack on symbols of Ethiopian unity,
[5] The final verdict was rendered on December 5, 2008 and the judge ordered him to serve a six-year prison term and pay a fine of 18,000 Birr (apr. 1800 USD). On February 18, 2009, Teddy's prison sentence was reduced from six years to 2 years by an appellate court.
[6] Teddy afro was released from prison on August 13, 2009.
[7]
Released Works
Albums
Album Information
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Abugida
- Released: 2001
- Record Label: Nahom Records
- Singles: "Lidjennet Alat", "Leman Lemash", "Mona Lisa"
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Tarik Tesera
- Released: 2004
- Record Label: evangadi prodaction
- Singles: "Tarik Teserra" (Anbessa)
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Yasteseryal
- Released: 2005
- Record Label: Nahom Records
- Executive Producer: Elias Fikru
- Singles: "Yasteseryal", "Bel Stegne", "Lambadina", "Promise","alamin"
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Yasteseryal Edition 2
- Released: 2005
- Record Label: Nahom Records
- Executive Producer: Elias Fikru
- Singles: "Yasteseryal", "Bel Stegne", "Lambadina", "Promise"
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Best Collection-Nahom Volume 14
- Released: 2006
- Record Label: Nahom Records
- Singles: "Menta Wedije", "Yregal", "Lamie Bora", "Sdet"
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DVDs
DVD Information
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Tarik Tesera By Tewodros Kassahun
- Released: 2004
- Record Label: Nahom Records
- Executive Producer: Elias Fikru
- Singles: "Tarik Tesera" (Anbessa)
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Yasteseryal - DVD
- Released: 2005
- Record Label: Nahom Records
- Executive Producer: Elias Fikru
- Singles: "Yasteseryal", "Promise", "Anbessa", "Seleme"
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References
- http://www.ethiomedia.com/aurora/when_will_the_daybreak_come.html
- Pop Star Teddy Afro Freed From Jail in Ethiopia
- "Teddy Afro - Another victim of Ethiopia's ruthless dictator", ''Ethiopian Review'' 20 November 2008 (accessed 26 July 2009)
- " Protests over Ethiopia pop singer" BBC wbesite, 23 April 2008
- "In Ethiopia, jailed singer Tewodros Kassahun is a political symbol", Los Angeles ''Times'', 11 August 2008
- Yahoo News (dead link)
- [1] - ethiomedia news