“Fikir Eske Mekabir” hit book sale record following release of Teddy Afro’s album

Beside the huge acceptance & applause Teddy Afro’s ” Ethiopia ” album achieved, it could also trigger a renewed sale of the legendary novel “Fikir Eske Mekabir”, disclosed Fortune newspaper on its May 14, Sunday issue front page article entitled “Teddy Afro Online, Offline”,

The publisher of the book Mega Pkrinting Enterprise, supplied 10,000 copies of the book first published in 1964 to the market, following the release of the album which industry sources said hit a record high half a million copies. Mega Printing distributed the books through its 32 outlets after the title of one of Teddy’s songs, ” Mar Eske Tuaf”, had leaked before the release of the album two weeks ago, leading retail price of the book to jump by 10 Br, from its original 91 Birr.

​Singer Teddy Afro’s New Album Holds Fast to His Vision of a Diverse, Yet United Ethiopia

(Global Voices Online) Ethiopian singer Tewodros Kassahun’s most anticipated and highly promoted studio album was released to great fanfare at the beginning of May 2017.

More popularly known as Teddy Afro, his latest album — his fifth — comprises 15 songs of tribute and love that touch on issues of solidarity, reconciliation and the hope of living collectively in a diverse country. The album also includes a song with lyrics in a coded language, which is being interpreted by some as a rebuke to his detractors.

 Ethiopian singer Teddy Afro, who delivered opening remarks at a U.S. Embassy-sponsored workshop for students on the occasion of World Environment Day 2015. Photo by U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa; CC BY-ND 2.0

Ever since he caught the public’s attention with his debut album in early 2001, Teddy Afro has been a household name in Ethiopia. He is a melodic singer and prolific songwriter. “Ethiopia”, a single that appeared on his new album, racked up millions of views on YouTube as soon as it was released. His album attracted sales of up to 6 million Ethiopian Birr — a feat that no other Ethiopian singer has ever managed to accomplish — which is telling commentary on his popularity.

​Teddy Afro’s Musical Monarchy

This article is published in Addis Fortune on April 22, 2012 by the paper’s op-ed writer Getachew T. Alemu. With the raised temperature of controversy and hype over Teddy Afros upcoming album “Ethiopia” we hoped it would invite further reflections and discussions and have republished it. 

Here comes a new album by Tewodros Kassahun, a.k.a. Teddy Afro, titled Tikur Sew. It has filled the air of this fair nation through virtually all available broadcasting machines. It is heard everywhere.

As an advocate of competitive playing fields in all spheres of life, from politics to the arts, the situation makes me feel like I am living in a musical monarchy embodied by a pitiful leader.

Whatever comes out of Teddy Afro is accepted in this society that we live in. Criticising him is becoming impossible. He is being treated as a sweat leader with no restraint.