That is why there is but only one Teddy, that is why you can’t spell Musika without Teddy.  It is as simple as Abugida.

by Teddy Fikre:  Posted Monday, June 7, 2010


In the world of entertainment, one has achieved a level of excellence and accomplishment when you just say their first name and people know who you are talking about.  Elvis, Michael, Tiger, Madonna, Barrack, these are people who made such a profound impact that they are known by the world by just their first name.  These are people who shake the universe when they speak, people who have millions of hits on youtube, people who inspire Paparazzi photographers and who have spawned TV shows—TMZ anyone—that track their every movement.

When it comes to Ethiopian music, there are but two iconic names who have achieved this level of fame.  Mahmoud and Telahun, that’s the list.  You speak to any Ethiopian, or for that matter any Parisian or Moroccan and you say the name Telahun and Mahoud, and instantly there is no doubt which Ethiopian you are talking about.  Well, add to the list the name Teddy.

Tewodros Kassahun was born in Ethiopia on July 14th 1976.  Better known as Teddy Afro, at such an early age, Teddy has revolutionized Ethiopian music in only eight years!  Teddy is the Obama of Ethiopian music, his songs are profound and shake the conscience while stirring the soul to eskesta freely.  There are few songs that can literally get you to dance involuntarily.  Today, there is no song that can start a spontaneous party like Abebayehosh can.  Don’t believe me, go to any Ethiopian parties.

What you will see is people talking, people mingling, people enjoying the scenery.  Until the DJ starts playing Abebayehosh.  At that exact moment, the dynamic changes, people stop talking, people stop mingling, people stop enjoying the scenery—and they run to the dance floor.  It’s as though kerosene is sprinkled on a smoldering ash, a quite get together is transformed instantly into a blazing inferno of eskesta, jumping up and down with the Ethiopian flag, and pure elation.

This is the power of Teddy.  With one song, he can transform a party into a celebration of life.  He can transform strangers into best friends.  He can transform hate into love.  Don’t believe me?  Last year, Beyonce was performing at her concert in Ethiopia.  Sure, it was an amazing performance, the place was packed and everyone was having a great time.  I mean, this is BEYONCE, a world renowned Supernova.  Then, the DJ decided to sprinkle some kerosene onto the smoldering amber.  All the sudden, a Beyonce concert exploded with pure elation.  The place detonated with eskesta, jumping up and down, and Ethiopian flags started being waved everywhere.  In what has to be one of the most surreal moments I have experienced, Beyonce was overshadowed at her concert by another one name wonder—Teddy.

Yet, as profound of an impact that Teddy Afro has made, perhaps his biggest impact is his message.  A message of unity, forgiveness, and a shared success.  Sure, it would be easier to make songs about nothing, to write songs about alcohol, sex, and money—that would be the coward’s way of making music.  Teddy Afro is no coward, Teddy Afro is a MAN—a would be King of Ethiopian music.  His songs are laced with a profound message, whether it is “Mona Lisa”, “Abugida” or “Yasteseryal” to name but a few, the words he chooses are those that strive to enrich the lives of people instead of enriching himself.

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No greater man is he than one that sacrifices for the things and people he believes in—Teddy Afro has sacrificed fame, money, and liberty for the things he believes in.  And God in return continues to enrich Teddy Afro by multiples of ten for those things which he has sacrificed for Ethiopia.  Thus, when we dance to Abebayehosh, whether or not we know it, we are not only dancing to Teddy Afro, we are dancing for the things he believes in.  We are dancing for OURSELVES.  That is why there is but only one Teddy, that is why you can’t spell Musika without Teddy.  It is as simple as Abugida.