Search Results: biography

Raised by musical parents, it was apparent at an early age that  Tewodros Kassahun , (now know as Teddy Afro) had a deep love of music. Over the past ten years, Teddy has emerged as the number one voice in Ethiopia, breaking records for album sales and show attendance.  He is known far and wide, inside and out of Ethiopia as the rising star of East Africa.

The 2001 debut release of “Abugida”, was a landmark recording that established Teddy as a musical power to be reckoned with.  “Abugida” is a word that means “beginning”, in the language of Ge’ez (the predecessor to the modern spoken language of Amharic) and this recording is aptly named as it marks his entrance on the national stage.

Using reggae rhythms combined with the traditional sounds of Ethiopian music, the songs are sung exclusively in the national language of Ethiopia, Amharic. Influenced by Ethiopian Maestro Tilahun Gessesse and international reggae superstar Bob Marley, Teddy combines the musicianship and message of his mentors. Singing of freedom from tyranny and self-emancipation on his debut release, he defined his voice as a songwriter as well as a singer. Using the keyboard as his primary vehicle for songwriting, he has written both hooks and melodies that have become a mainstay in Ethiopian pop culture.