Photo credit: DireTube/Fortune newsletter
Addis Fortune newspaper reports that Teddy Afro’s album realises on the eve of Ethiopian Easter. A million copies sold from his last album. It is everyone’s question if he hits the music industry one more time. There are interesting articles coming up about Teddy Afro – one is from the new magazine 360_One_world mag with Beate Wedekind. In my blog post I mention five reasons why you need to consider buying his new album titled – ‘Tikur Sew’
1. His songs invoke emotions
Artists should invoke emotions and Teddy Afro is very good at it. He takes Asmera to Addis; for most people still don’t believe that Ethiopians and Eritreans are two different nations. He invokes emotions about the social challenges what Ethiopians have in the country and outside the country. He sings about equality and unity. I would also expect that he would invoke emotions in this new album.
2. He is an activist
Activism is barely accepted in Ethiopian society let alone with the government. It is great that there are many online activists right now, thanks to social media! But the then in the society at large most activists are driven by their political parties not in their own philosophies. Teddy’s activism comes out of himself. His new album titled “tikur sew” [am], Black Person. I expect that he will exercise activism in his new album.
3. He is a critic
Religious leaders once stickily complained on him talking about how God sees churches and mosques. In reality he was talking about love. The fact that he is straight forward in his lyrics and usage of very strong Amharic words made him a good critic.
4. He takes a risk of copyright counterfeiting
The music industry in Ethiopia nearly paused. Copyright issues and lack of intellectual property law enforcement highly discouraging a lot of artists (Movies producers are an exception – anyway, there is no quality movie produced so far after Teza and Tizitah). Teddy took risk that he imagines to sell his album in this time. The inflation reached 36% in the country. People don’t seem to have interest to buy things that are not basic need. I expect that a lot of people buy his album in this unfortunate situation in the country.
5. His first album after prison
Some say, if teddy stays long time in prison he might lose his talent. Fortunately, he didn’t last longer because of “good conduct”. Others say, prison is where you learn life-changing lessons and a time to have a closer look to yourself. So one-way or another, worth to anticipate Teddy’s new songs.
I think it is worth mentioning that if there is someone who understands the bussiness side of music in Ethiopia, that would be Teddy. I have admiration for him. Furthermore, he knows what to sing at what time, he listens to what ppl want to listen. Gizewn eyewaje yemikegn artist naw:: I think that, in addition to what u’ve pted out, is the secret of his success.
Cheers,
Exactly Elyas. He also knows how to make business out of his music. He spent about 4,000,000 ETB for this album. Obviously, he knows the return.
I read this comment on another blog and thought I may share it here:
“The more I observe Teddy the more I have come to conclude that he is market savvy and not necessarily a consequential artist. He craves popularity without working much for it. He just knows how to take advantage of opportunities. Think of the following:
1. Haile wins a race and Teddy rides on the popular current to produce “instant” hit
2. Tilahun Gessese dies and he takes to the podium, so to speak, to claim his mantle
3. He goes to jail on account of a death of a street child; he gets out of prison and hold a festival the proceeds of which is [supposedly] for helping the homeless
4. He sides with Sebhat’s irresponsible behavior and composes the poem above, etc
In other words, he selectively rubs with ‘big names’ in the hope of being identified as such. That, to me, is low and a cheap shot.”
There is truth in this comment that I agree with. 🙂 I have no doubt that Teddy has a talent but I think he is quite calculative, which makes him a commercial artist, rather than a genuine artist like people from the past who sang for the sake of singing. 🙂 In a way, I don’t expect him to be a starving artist. I actually feel sad that those artists didn’t take financial advantage of their creativity and lived in poverty as a result. But it’s not also good to be too opportunist.
We will see!!
wounderfull man i don’t like music but i like his personality.
he is a hero.
Yihen yemesel talent yizo for the past +- 7 years album sayaweta bemekretu bedilonal biye asib neber. now I cann’t wait to buy and listen this long waited piece of art..Gugu from Joburg
You are stressful person people can’t wait to hear Teddy’s music you are talking non sense as if you solution for th 36% inflation. You must be from north America. When people are exited you like to ruin there excitement. Find something else to blog about and get rid of that stupid part we know what is going on don’t tell us as if it is hidden you know it I know it and every one knows it and that should not be an issue for us. Teddy may be paid chunk of money for his job adika paid him because he got it not a big deal you shouldn’t relate this to the inflation Teddy asked the four million from those guys who has and afford it. They paid him they will make profit if he sold for way less profit still the distributors profit margin would increase people still pay the same price.
You and I should appreciate when the artists get get paid what they deserve instead of openning blog which doesn’t make sense.
You are stressful person people can’t wait to hear Teddy’s music and you are talking non sense as if you got a solution for the 36% inflation. You must be from North America. When people are exited you like to ruin their excitement. Find something else to blog about and get rid of that stupid part we know what is going on in Ethiopia and don’t tell us as if it is hidden you know it I know it and every one knows it and that should not be an issue for us. Teddy may be paid chunk of money for his job Adika Entertainment inc. paid him because he got it not a big deal you shouldn’t relate this to the inflation. Teddy asked the four million Birr from those guys who got and afford it so they paid him. Because they know they will make profit if he sold for a way less price still the distributors profit margin would increase people will still pay the same price.
You and I should appreciate when the artists get get paid what they deserve instead of openning blog which doesn’t make sense.
me cant wait 2drink z honey through ma ear. we keep on hearing whaeva he sayz. he iz brave enough to scratch where we feel, bold enough to sing politics to help create a better context, and talented enough to do it. da king of ehiopian melody, he iz simply icon of Habeshan excellence . . . i aint know how 2 appreciate this guy . . . am running out of the superlatives.
I was expecting much from him. I was thinking he will say some critical issues or emotional issues, but after i listen to the album he was not activist nor critic as I was expecting him. I think the above 5 reasons to buy his album oooo no no it doesn’t feet my constitution, though I love only “ጥቁር ሰው እና ስለፍቅር”
i realy liked all of teddy’s songs from his new album his a hero a big one!
i really like all of teddy’s new songs he is a hero a big one!
Yes Teddy is wonderful, an Ethiopian music icon of this generation
Teddy Rocks!
Teddy is definitely an Ethiopian icon, a very talented artist and deserves all the praises. http://www.easyethiopiatravel.com/ethiopia-music.shtml