Is Teddy Afro Just Another Entertainer?

By EthioSun:

One can’t look back on Teddy Afro’s carrier without remembering his famous songs such as YASTESERYAL, O-O-TAYE, and DAHLAK. His songs have mesmerizing, vivid and unifying power to the people who struggle against injustice and tyranny. As result of his  powerful songs, the young star had become both a national icon for freedom of expression and a person to face a revenge motivated charges solely related to his criticisms against the rulers of Ethiopia. The power of his songs have forced millions of people to stand with him, to pray for his release,  to demand foreign authorities to urge Ethiopia’s rulers to immediately release the artist,   to sign petitions and honor his vision on peace, fairness, forgiveness, tolerance and national healing .

Following his release from jail, however, his position on his own songs, freedom of expression and justice has become controversial and the talk of every town.

According to some sources, the superstar may have actually signed a 250, 000 dollars contract to censor himself and not to play his most beloved songs such as YASTESERYAL, O-O-TAYE, and DAHLAK (unless forced).  The above troubling doubts or  rumors appear partially supported by observations that were made during his recent shows including the triumphant ‘back-in-freedom concert’ in Addis Ababa,  where he donated 1.1 million Ethiopian Birr to the regimes phony Elshadai Relief & Development Association.

To make the matter worse , the most recent concert in DC was not also short of condemnation and critiques. The  performance by young artist who arrived in capital city of the politics, Washington, to entertain Ethiopians living in DC metro just two days after the end of 2009 was reported to be no where close to what many of his  fans anticipated.

Although,  the promoters expected to see DC Armory be filled with thousands of Ethiopians, the turn out was reportedly  unsatisfactory. According to observers who attended the concert and who were connected with the promoters, Teddy Afro’s concert at the DC Armory was a mediocre perhaps disappointing. The artist who once climbed to be considered as the young Bob Marley of Ethiopia appeared  reportedly  just as any other “singer “  who arrived from Ethiopia to entertain the depressed minds and souls of immigrants if  one was willing to pay $ 50 dollars.  Many Ethiopians  also expressed their dissatisfaction because the artist failed to express his gratitude to the Diaspora community that supported him during his difficult times.

In summary,  the  above raised issues are becoming colossal challenges to Teddy Afro as they may  taint  his superstar image. If Teddy Afro fails to  adequately and timely address the rumors and convince Ethiopians who have begun to question his uprightness,   he may soon join the fate of some former entertainers including those who allowed themselves to be mentally enslaved and lost their respect by the majority of Ethiopians. We hope it is not going to be what they call the rise and fall…..of  Teddy Afro!

^*Sometimes in life you feel the fight is over,

And it seems as though the writings on the wall,

Superstar you finally made it,

But once your picture becomes tainted,

It’s what they call,

The rise and fall

* Lyrics: the rise and fall by Sting.