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Ethiopia - Teddy Afro, the New Reggae God of Ethiopia

06/08/07

Permalink 12:10:20 am, by nazret.com, 137 words, 17208 views   English (US)
Categories: Ethiopia, Entertainment

Ethiopia - Teddy Afro, the New Reggae God of Ethiopia

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Ethiopia - Teddy Afro's Yasteseryal was featured on the popular NPR program All Things Considered on June 7, 2007.

Ethiopia Teddy Afro

"Reggae is huge in Ethiopia and the most popular artist there is Teddy Afro. He has a hit record called Yasteseryal which celebrates the former emperor Haile Selassie."

"Teddy Afro might just turn out to be the breakthrough artist that East Africa has been waiting for, a Bob Marley for a new time. "
Banning Eyre

All Things Considered, June 7, 2007 (NPR)· Though the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie was considered a god by Rastafarians, in Bob Marley's day, reggae music wasn't popular in Ethiopia. Now, though, reggae is huge in the East African nation, and there's no bigger star than Teddy Afro.

Teddy Afro's Yasteseryal
WARNING: This music is banned in Ethiopia


Watch more Teddy Afro's Music Video

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msg Comment from: Yirgacheffeeይርጋጨፍ [Visitor]
I like Solomon Tekalign better.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 00:30

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msg Comment from: Seleme [Visitor]


Yeha,

Because of what? because your Evil Father can play with him?

Let me tell you something, Until the ugliness of your Evil Father continue to spread his darkness to our poor people, the messages of brilliant people will not stop to tear down his ugliness.

It is really obvious that you are >:XX Hypocrite puppet!

PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 00:51

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msg Comment from: Doyo [Visitor]
Yirgacheffeeይርጋጨፍ Egzabhere anten yemeselu seyetanoch wed Eth yaweredew bekentu aydelem. ye8000 meleket new. eme emeleh endew bekentu ye cyber tiger honeh mekereteh betam yasazenegal. Are you making any money out of it? Amed hun lela alelehm.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 01:17

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msg Comment from: simon [Visitor]
I despise that Teddy so much!!!! cuz in his song 'jah yasteserial', he only pointed out only the bad things or events out of our great history......we get that a lot from the 'ferenji's and i never thought that we would get it from our own.....but i want to remind teddy that ethiopia is not just about hunger,death etc but ethiopia is one of the safest and best places to live on earth....the country of Menilik, Tewodros, Yohannes, Jufar etc has been a place where people from different races lived and will live peacefully irrespective of what guys like you claim. But i want to point out one thing to Teddy. A singer is a public figure.....he shouldnot take sides in any domestic event....but what you did was simply aggravating the tense environment that was prevailing two years ago.....anyway I feel sorry for guys like you who concentrate on making money out of such kind of difficult times of their country.....whatever happened to the sense of patriotism?......by the way, keep up the good work of milking the diaspora fools.

Peace for the poor
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 01:28

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msg Comment from: Moti [Visitor]
May be he is like God for Amharic speaking people; but not for others like OROMO, SOAMALI, among others. Don’t try to make sentimental generalization…

We have our own true stars; not a star who celebrates overthrown Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie, who band Oromo language and culture not so long ago.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 01:41

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msg Comment from: Wozeiro Condjo [Visitor]
Long live Mahmoud and Ali BIRRA - more than 78% of the population can dance to their lovely music.

Your Teddy can go and sing in Shachemene where he can find his favorite audience.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 02:02

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msg Comment from: solomon [Visitor]
Why is this guy praying The old, defunct and feudalistic monarch in every album he produces? Wouldn't it have been better to promote his talents freely without involving in controversial issues like an old feudal who died three decade ago? Haileselasie was a human being like you and me who took advantage of the backwardness of his people at the time and It is puzzling why 30 years later a talented artist like Teddy Afro need to harness fame through such a controversial feudal like Haileselasie.
If his next album has anything to do with praising the dead emperor and belittling the struggle of others, then Teddyn Afro would scandalously is digging a grave to his career and talent.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 02:56

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msg Comment from: T.A [Visitor]
Tedi
Singing and working are not the same bra.to to solve Ethiopia problem.Look you present the last four decade problem in song but I do not know what you have done to solve ethiopia problem:uneployment and other ptoblem.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 02:59

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msg Comment from: Felorad [Visitor]
I like Tedy better than anyone. He is a truely mature artist, and the strength of his messages us untenable.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 03:01

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msg Comment from: John [Visitor]
Me too! Solomon has come to the right track after long useless and emotional acting. Actually Teddy also clearly put this reality and the fact that revenge is not good and we only need negotiation and agreement to think about the future, not the past and cursing one another. But I am afraid this lyric is misinterpreted by many and even the ruling party and become a tool for inducing hatred. Wake up men!
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 04:00

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msg Comment from: Gual Tigray [Visitor]
Yirgacheffe,
did anybody ask you what you like? :crazy:
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 04:22

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msg Comment from: Satenaw [Visitor]
Dear Teddysha!
Yasteserayal is a wonderfully written and choreographed song; however RECONCILIATION is not a language that TPLF (Tigray Parasitic Looting Front) can understand because it doesn’t go alongside their grandiose strategy of annihilating and milking Ethiopia. Everything they do is pre-meditated to fit their long-standing program that is strangle Ethiopia till her last breath, seize what they can and join their “mother land and creator, Eritrea”.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 04:49

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msg Comment from: Yeha [Visitor]
Teddy Afro,
Your new Reggae music may be good for millenium celebration as Ethiopians enthusiatically waiting for the one time historical events to happen.
Although,watch out the night pedestrian millennium participants drunk.
Happy millenium every one.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 05:13

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msg Comment from: Enie [Visitor]
Long live Teddy Afro!!! WE love you to death Teddy...
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 05:14

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msg Comment from: Dave [Visitor]
Well, he's one of the best singer in his generation. But, it's not wise to compare him with Bob. For me Gossaye is by far the best singer than Teddy Afro.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 05:25

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msg Comment from: degefaw [Visitor]
Tedy Afro is another traitor, banda who has refused to stage for the kinijit. our strugle will continue whether tedy or solomon is there or not.

woyanes will be punished
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 05:35

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msg Comment from: Amsterdamer [Visitor]
Teddy…is a great entertainer however I strongly disagree with his opinion. He should be happy for the freedom he enjoys form the government. Despite of some of his controversial songs. Don’ blame everything to Woyane. ….
"Yasteseryal"!!!!!!!! Give me a break……..
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 05:48

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msg Comment from: Mulugeta [Visitor]
The most sad song I ever heard. Teddy have mixed the Rastafarians spiritual song with today’s politics and came up with the song neither spiritual, political or patriotic. He should know or if he is too young ask his parents that King Hailesilasie is a mare immortal man. He has neither a divinity nor can he be a redeemer to our sin. Jha or Jah “Yasteserial” is an apostasy to our Christain heritage.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 06:12

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msg Comment from: Let us face reality [Visitor]
Then Yirgacheffee

"I like Solomon Tekalign better. "

Then listen to his music "Wey yanie!" Or his interview on Shabiya TV.

No wonder once you people were in love with shabiya though the love ended in trajic separation.

Face the reality!
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 07:21

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msg Comment from: Zena [Visitor]
Dear Yirgacheffeeይርጋጨፍ and others,

YES – Teddy Afro is a star and as the author said may be “there's no bigger star than Teddy Afro” for now.

However, Solomon Tekalegne was a star too – especially, to the die-hard AAPO/CUD advocates - until he abandoned hate politics and come down to realisation that is.

I suppose the same can be said about politicians such as: Lidetu Ayalew once labelled as Ethiopia’s Mandela by the Diasporas – now he is in death list of die-hard AAPO/CUD advocates.

It is hilarious!!

Regards, Zena
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 07:38

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msg Comment from: Hingidu [Visitor]
What about Kiros Alemayo?????????
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 07:42

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msg Comment from: wondu [Visitor]
Teddy we are proud of you ! you are Great person !!
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 07:45

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msg Comment from: Propaganda News [Visitor]
Teddy is very nice and his album is even better but the man really can't sing and his concerts suck. It's too loud, you can barely hear him and if you hear him, he really, really does not sound like he does on his CD. I think Elsa Kidane from Eritrea is the horn's star. Her album is just as good as Teddys and in her sold out concerts, her music sounds the same as her albums.

My two cents
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 07:56

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msg Comment from: E [Visitor]
Teddy Afro has reached a high level of his art in music. In my view, he is the best of this generation’s musicians who different generations of Ethiopian population can connect to some or most of his music. His lyrics may not be directly political, but it is in consideration of empathy, coexistence, reconciliation,, intellect, love, mystical soul search, analogy, the psychology of malady in phrases like, “Eyanibu Eskista” which actually takes place in human dilemma of distance from one’s country, contradiction and/or agitation. At times, it is like a treat from a nationalist novelist in absorbingly beautiful sound of melody. He is a very matured artist beyond his age.

To those people who are critics of some of his songs like, “Islam and Christian..”, I think as a vocalist, he is trying to reach not only couples divided by religion, but bi racial or two nationalities of a house hold can identify with it as well as the coexistence of Muslims and Christians. “Jah Yasteserial” in my view is a symbol of forgiveness for a horrific ending of a king whose destiny was tied with the country for for over half a century. He was neither a dictator nor a mercenary. That song is deserving and specially Jamaicans who honor him to this day can identify with it.

He is a musician who has allowed himself freedom by staying safely free and reaching a diverse group of audience who can identify with his lyrics. He is very special.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 08:19

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msg Comment from: ding dong [Visitor]
I AM VERY HAPPY THAT TEDDY IS GETTING THE RECOGNITION HE DISEREVES. MAY GOD HELP STAY UP .......... HE EXPRESSES TRUE ETHIOPIANISM ... WHICH RECOGNIZES ALL FOR THEIR EQUAL EXISTANCE AS AN ETHIOPIAN.. YERGACHEFE, SOLOMON TEKALIGN CAN NOT GO HALF AS FAR NOT EVEN A BIT OF TEDDY SUCCESS , AND AM NOT SAYING THAT BECAUSE HE FLIP FLAPED AM SAYING THAT WITH AN EYE OF A TALENT JUDGE....
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 08:45

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msg Comment from: gudu [Visitor]
ay yirgachefe...
siga tira bilut.... ale yagere sew, endante yale kentu biyagatimachew new.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 09:07

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msg Comment from: anon [Visitor]
The fact that Teddy is sensational may not mean some of his songs are useful to society.
Here is a link from a previous Nazret blog.

http://ethiopianchurch.org/Media/MonthlyMessages/122006/teddyafro.html
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 09:16

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msg Comment from: Abiyot [Visitor]
Yirgachefe, your comment proves you are a victim of "ye aymiro zigmet".
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 09:26

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msg Comment from: Ben [Visitor]
THINK AGAIN!!!!! Hey, where did you get this?? Who said this music is banned in Ethiopia?? Of coures you won't see or listen it on government owned medias but everybody is listening the music as they like anything anywhere even in the BARS!!!!!!! DON'T TALK ONLY BAD AND MISLEAD PEOPLE!!!! SAY SOMETHING GOOD AND MAKE THE EXCILES MISS ETHIOPIA!!!!! :crazy:
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 09:31

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msg Comment from: E [Visitor]
I have not listened to Teddy Afro’s music for several months including what is offered here (Jah Yasteserial and the NPR broadcast).. I hope my memory proves me correct in the comment I have made previously. His music is not that forgettable. Some how, it sticks in memory. Some news broadcasts have used it fittingly well in their selective subject matter. Such journalists have also greatly contributed in introducing and up lifting Ethiopian musicians. To some of us who do not listen to Ethiopian music as such, and are more inclined to news, they have helped promote Ethiopian music/ians to a new level of awareness.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 09:32

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msg Comment from: Yirgacheffeeይርጋጨፍ [Visitor]
Gual Tigray [Visitor],

don't be jealous,.....if it makes you feel better, I like you too:oops:. Please sing to me:>>
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 09:39

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msg Comment from: Yeha [Visitor]
Yirgacheffeeይርጋጨፍ,
take it easy with Teddy, unless you offer him eye glass.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 09:41

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msg Comment from: yegermal! [Visitor]
Teddy Afro is indeed the best. His songs are meaningful and touch the day to day lives of Ethiopians mainly back home but even abroad. His immensely popularity is not surprising at all.

For those current government blind supporters that cant stand the song "yasteseryal", please tell me one verse from it that you find offensive. It is a song about forgiveness. He says learn from mandela in how he turned his nation round. The best verse from the song is something like "among all the hatred you have for each other, all the bickering and blaming that goes on, how are we suppose to differentiate who is good for us, how are we suppose to know you actually love us" ofcourse aimed at ethiopian politicians of all spectrum. Isn't these what exactly went on during the election and the mayhem after it.

Listen if you have ears and learn to respect and forgive each other. that is the only way forward. Unfortunately, while most young people can feel what he is saying and he is the voice for many, home and abroad; it is the middle aged men that are not listening and find it offensive. shame on you!

I challenge you then why is it such a song that tells ethiopian political cultures of the last 30 years or more is frowned upon?!
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 09:43

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msg Comment from: Ra'Oeil ራዕይ [Member]
Teddy is simply the best. Somehow, I think its God's way to send us a message and bless us...

May God bless him.

Long live Teddy Afro!

Ra
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 09:55

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msg Comment from: teddy rocks [Visitor]
if someone hates teddy he/she must be agame!

teddy u rock !!

my hat is off 4 u
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 10:23

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msg Comment from: E [Visitor]
anon [Visitor]
1. The fact that Teddy is sensational may not mean some of his songs are useful to society.
Here is a link from a previous Nazret blog.

http://ethiopianchurch.org/Media/MonthlyMessages/122006/teddyafro.html
"TYPE=PICT;ALT=Permalink"Permalink 06/08/07 @ 09:16
----------------------------------------
His music is actually useful to society depending how objectively you look at it and value its freedom as art. The link you provided is from Ethiopian church (does not specify denomination).

It seems the “elder”/or “religion figure” knows Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy) from his youth. He jots down some points including a time frame of Teddy’s birth to be post Atse Haile Selassie’s time. That gives us an idea of his age to be after 1974. Tewodros was raised in Ethiopia during Derg’s reign and came of age. The “elder” seems to find it ironic for a youth who grew up during Derg to sing about the king he did not know. Should he dismiss the influence of history?.

His critic on Muslim and Christian is well taken as we need the voice an opposing view which stays guard of tradition, the meaning of faith etc. The “elder's” comment in a way responds to the level Teddy has reached with a reminder of a community or parental figure who in the future could discourage music that could be “liberal” in its lyrics. The elder’s statement could get translated so that “others” do not mis guide non Amharic readers.

PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 10:23

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msg Comment from: cinemaras [Visitor]
Just like a professional businessman he (Teddy) delivers the best product tuned to his customers. He sings not his mind, he caters.
I like him not because he is a singer but because he is a businessman.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 10:25

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msg Comment from: Guigy [Visitor]
As I have a sweet love for Ethiopia, all
I appreciated during our Emperor H.Sellasie
Regime is, that one US $ was 2,50 Birr .
On the other hand, I'm asking miself if,
our youg Teddy Affro would have the heart
to celebrate the Ethiopian Millenium in
A. Abeba ?
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 10:27

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msg Comment from: Ananas [Visitor]
Nazret says that "Yasteseryal" is banned in Ethiopia. Is this true or is this another political jab at EPRDF? I hope somebody can clarify this.

[Listen to the NPR report. The music is banned from Ethiopia state owned radio and TV. Damn right you can listen it at home, but it is banned from the public airwaves]
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 10:48

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msg Comment from: KOKEB [Visitor]
TEDDY AFRO

SMART
SEXY
PATRIOT


A hero of ETHIOPIA (EGZABHER-YETEBKH)
Teddy is mainly a hero and popular to the yong people.

SORRY !Mrs.ARROGIT WOIZERO CONDJO, your time has past. Just laid back and enjoy kenney roger country blues in between your frequent flight routine to medicare and socal-security offices to collect your disability and retirment taxpayers donation. by the way K-MART has speciall buy on broccollie sprouts, for coupon smootchers.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 11:02

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msg Comment from: Yirgacheffeeይርጋጨፍ [Visitor]
Yeha [Visitor]

Teddy is like the Michael Jackosn of our country

Michael wants to be white,....and Teddy wants to be Reggae.

Michael likes little kids,...and Teddy likes Kinijit infants.

Michael gets drunk on Jeasus Juice with the little kids at Neverland Ranch,....and Teddy gets drunk at Shaeraton Rance with the little Kinijits aytoch.

Michael says, "Billy Jean, Not my lover" ......and Teddy says: "Kinijit Not my ruler"

Michael says "I'm Bad" and Teddy says :I'm Neft"

Michael sings: "Liberian Girl" ...and teddy sings "ye-Dahlak set"

and last but not list,...they both purm their hair


PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 11:19

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msg Comment from: Kuku [Visitor]
Yes Teddy is the best I went to his concerts a while ago and I can't stop thinking about his yes he is the best singer ever!!! he is one ture habash person make us all proud of you do what you love to do Make your Amhara and Tigray People proud
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 11:33

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msg Comment from: Kuku [Visitor]
I used to not listen Amharic/Ethiopian music that much but because of Teddy I am so opsses with his music May God bless you YOU could be the next Ethiopian president WE LOVE YOU MUCH
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 11:42

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msg Comment from: makeda [Visitor]
Yegermal
You have said all I wanted to say. Yibarkeh abo!
To those of you who are blind supporters of TPLF, lately you are flooding the comment section of many of the web sites. Is this an order from Meles? Your :lalala: will not get you any where. we are standing together and and our leaders will show you the real leadership. Until then enjoy your:lalala:
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 11:56

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msg Comment from: Tezebet [Visitor]
Yirgacheffeeይርጋጨፍ
I like Solomon Tekalign better

you really make me laugh...
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 12:55

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msg Comment from: adugna [Visitor]
Donot mix politics with art.teddy is as good singer as ali birra..as good as kiros alemayehu...as good as aster!! Donot give him unnecessary boost!..and i hope he will release us nice album to memorise our unique millenium..like what tsolomon tekalignhave done. Lets use the millenium as good opportunity to free from ourselves from hate...extrimism...narow mindedness,lets us share our part for the development of our people and country.there is not any country in hstory that developed by thalking and talking...nonsense...lets do for our country.any smart opposition also can do it.but those "oppositions" who do not know the different between ethiopia and eprdf cannot do it.eprdf will pass as others have done,but what we do now for our people will not pass!!Stop spreading hate politics through the mideas please..why so need??????? It is shame!!..this is the sign of very backwardness and dark..let come out of this dark and extrimism...lets use the millenium opportunity!!!!...
I love ethiopia!!!
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 13:21

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msg Comment from: Kuku [Visitor]
To Yirgacheffee don't hate you know he is better than your dume ass red neck
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 13:36

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msg Comment from: ethio-girl [Visitor]
TO the fact-deprived,

Jah is God, not Hailesselase. The Rastafarians just think that, Hailesselase was a true leader, and prophet sent by Jah to free the African race from the grips of White people. And Guess what?!! That is exactly what he did!!! So when Teddy says Jah yasteseryal, he means "Egziabher yasteseryal" If you are going to post such a disagreable comment, why not try to back it up with a tiny, whinny bit of fact??
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 14:16

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msg Comment from: tazabi [Visitor]
Hey guys,

Democracy, that is what we want, so let them do what ever they want!! But my hero is Teshome Mitiku!! It is a matter of CHOICE.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 14:21

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msg Comment from: Ra'Oeil ራዕይ [Member]
Chemin de fer (source)
Shemendefer

“Shemendefer”, is the English translation of the lyrics to one of the masterpieces of artist Tedros Kassahun (a.k.a. Teddy Afro) recent album. Among Teddy Afro’s powerful compositions, advocating the core messages of love and solidarity, “Shemendefer” is perhaps the most influential, given its global import in the current era in which we live. This is a love song about a Muslim man’s ode to a young Christian woman.

Not only does the song’s extremely judicious message concern all of humanity today, but it also very effectively recasts Ethiopia as the beacon of hope and peace it has represented for many throughout history. As such, its translation into English is intended to broadcast the song’s powerful message to the much wider audience warranted by its sheer genius and timeliness.





Shemendefer [1]

by Teddy Afro; Translation by HFGK, 2006



Azaan, the mosque’s chanting is heralding daybreak;
I am heading for the station, the early train to take.
By chance, she came to Harar[2] – a rare guest from Shegerr;[3]
And back to a distant land, she took my heart with her.

And yet – do you forget?
The age-old haven Our Ethiopia has been;
Where Muslims and Christians have long lived in love, as kin.
My house is ample for us both.
Boundless love will be our oath.
You firm in your faith, and I in mine;
We’ll share my humble home, unconfined.
Shemendefer…

The Creator crafted you with such beauty untold;
Not without fear of Allah, to slay beholders cold.
Can you not understand when one loves you so?
Your answer to my love, neither yes nor no.
Oh yours is a beauty - a love, extraordinary,
Oh mercy, Heavens, Oh, hear me…!

Shemendefer - Take me to My Love, to Shegerr,
Make haste on the rails, Oh train!
As no longer can I bear this pain.

My home is Harar, my birthplace Qulubi; [4]
It was there you came to worship, there I happened to be.
And as sure as on that day you entered my heart;
If I live in faith each day, praying not to depart;
From the Saha Sitta and His Sacred Ten decrees;
My love for you, should not The Lord displease.

In Shegerr, Addis A’ba, your own home town, indeed;
Does Raguel Church not face Anwar Masjid?
Though parted by a mere mortal fence;
In concert to the skies their prayers rise, and hence;
Both the church’s Qidassie and the mosque’s Azaan,
The Creator hears them – in symphony – as one.

In Allah’s name I can still swear;
And you by Saint Qulubi’s prayer.
Come into my home, do come inside.
And leave your cord of faith firmly tied.

Oh, can you not see that I love you so
Your answer remains, neither yes nor no.
Oh yours is a beauty- a love, extraordinary,
Oh mercy, Heavens, Oh, hear me…!

Shemendefer - Take me to My Love, to Shegerr,
Make haste on the rails, Oh train!
As no longer, can I bear this pain.

____________________________
[1] An appellation derived from the French term “chemin de fer” for ‘railway’; colloquially used in Ethiopia in reference to the railway station and/or its immediate environs.
[2] Harar - a town in eastern Ethiopia (Hararghe region) home to 999 mosques, and considered the fourth most holy city in Islam after Mecca, Medina & Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.
[3] Shegerr – an alias for Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.
[4] Qulubi - a town in Hararghe region - seat of the famed St. Gabriel Cathedral - an important Ethiopian Orthodox Christian pilgrimage destination.


Ra

PS: I miss my dear Fatuma so much... :(
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 15:22

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msg Comment from: Ra'Oeil ራዕይ [Member]
A super star! (click)

Ra
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 15:31

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msg Comment from: anteneh [Visitor]

I am a big fun of teddy and I love him more than any singer in the world.I think he is one of the talented singers ethiopia ever ha,But I wonder how come this irrationa,emotional, biase and racist teddy rocks be fun of teddy as well.

PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 15:37

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msg Comment from: Aba Lafe [Visitor]
I love Teddy Afro, a Star born from the east.
Right on a young man with mission .
Bless,
Peace out
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 15:40

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msg Comment from: Bean [Visitor]

He is great, his music has lots of message, mature, clear and spots pertinet social and political issues, perhaps mirroring the work of great Sahle Degago. My favorite music has always been non-amharic, but I can't resist lisening to Tedy's. But I hate the fact that he is like old azmari, concentrate on praising individuals.

Yeha, Yirgachaffe, and etal, go and listen to ur banal singers, with no message than wededkush, konjo nesh...bla bla, rubbish!. You bannal, you can't understand esoteric music like that of Teddy's.

Bean
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 16:00

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msg Comment from: Yirgacheffeeይርጋጨፍ [Visitor]
ራዕይ seems to be a big fan of Teddy Afro,....hmmmm interesting
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 16:18

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msg Comment from: Yeha [Visitor]
Ra'Oeil ራዕይ,
welcome for summer vacation. I hope your vacation extended in to fall and connecting with millennium too. Don't worry huge discounted Dashen bera is available particular for the French boy (RA).
Senay Keniat
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 17:41

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msg Comment from: Ra'Oeil ራዕይ [Member]
Thank you very much Yeha but, sorry, no Dashen for me! I prefer the Ethio-French BGI beers: Bati or Castle... even if it costs twice as much.

By the way why the huge discount on Dashen birra: is the boycott on Al-Amoudi/EPRDF products hurting you guys? ;)

Ra
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 18:08

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msg Comment from: E [Visitor]
Ethio-girl,

Your comment may have not have responded to my post, but for clarity of information,

Rastafarians consider Jah is the name commonly used for God in the Rastafari ( Rasta ) religious movement. It comes from the Hebrew ???????? = Yah . .
Rastafarians consider Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia to have been the religious symbol for Jah incarnate
.Jah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
---------------------------------------
The song, "Jah Yasteserial" and Haile Selassie’s other title, "Jan Hoye" . ( jah and jan) some times get confused as Jah is also one of his titles in the country. "Girmawinetcchew" as Teddy refered to another of his title (His August Majesty).

If Ras Tefferians consider HIM as religious symbol for Jah incarnate... then, it can also be misunderstood to be alternately used
as Jah or Jan hoyee granting the forgiveness.
```````````````````````````````````
Ra'Oeil,

Thank you for the English translation you posted.
````````````````````````````````````
To any one,

If any one can find and post the Amharic print and/or the translation of Yasteserial in English, it will be appreciated
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 18:19

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msg Comment from: kalio [Visitor]
selemon ..... the Smartest person ever i see
Yarada Lij
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 18:38

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msg Comment from: Reggae [Visitor]
What has Reggae and Bob Marley contributed to our society? I am still looking to find one positive element. All complete madness and rugged looks and habits that does not sustain a society...it is one big joke - with all due respect to B.Marley.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 19:06

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msg Comment from: tenkeshu [Visitor]
yirgachefe
we knowe you are one of the killers banda that is why you like solomon but we proud of taddy.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 19:07

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msg Comment from: annonymes [Visitor]
your so called hero is an imature artist want to make use of false portryal of things and situations to gain fame and fortune. first haileslassie is not God or god. he is a mere human being who claim to be king of ethiopia on myhth eventhough there are people that myth applies to. he is not not the kind of leader childern of ethiopia to be proud of nor the kind of figure that inspires true ways for the present ethiopia. it is sad to see an ethiopian artist who happen to be an instrument to promoting a devils agenda on ethiopia and its people. Teddy some of your songs are very despised and ugly which spoils your whole standing as a public figure in your hometown. we both know that haileselassie is not God or treated to be that way. how much is that the negro rastafarian people aid you? they say that the land is their promise land, nonesense. they are not ethiopian people and they do not belong too but they use a mouth pice as you to promote their evil agenda. sad to see an ethiopian man lacking insight and understanding about the complex situation he is around. enjoy that music along with yor negro friend ouside of home country.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 19:12

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msg Comment from: Manchelot [Visitor]
:>> hello every one? belive or not and
dislike or like who cares becouse
tedy is number one in east-Africa.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 20:01

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msg Comment from: Ra'Oeil ራዕይ [Member]
ቴዎድሮስ ካሳሁን aka ቴዲ አፍሮ



IS

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•
_____****__________**** ______
___***____***____***__ *** ____
__***________****_______***____
_***__________**_________***__
_***_____________________***_
_***________JUST_________***_
__***_____SHOWING______***___
___***______LOVE_______***____
____***_______________***_____
______***___________***_______
________***_______***_________
__________***___***___________
____________*****_____________
_____________***_____________
______________*_____________

TO ETHIOPIA!



Ra

PS: You are very much welcome E!
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 20:48

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msg Comment from: Careless Ethiopians [Visitor]
solomon [Visitor] said: Why is this guy praying The old, defunct and feudalistic monarch in every album he produces?

In a old Teddy Afro song he pointed out the the average wage has remain the same since Haile Selassie but buys a lot less.. So we have since had two non African governments in Ethiopia one from Russia and now one from the USA and both look shaky in such a short time and getting more the same.. When will we stop trying to be non-Africans and be Africans and restore our Government that worked better for us Africans because it was African.. Or are we what the Bible calls Careless Ethiopians..
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 21:54

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msg Comment from: berta [Visitor]
NO SINGLE MODERN ETHIOPIAN SINGER MATCHS TEDY. THE REASON IS HE IS NOT JUST AFTER MONEY. HE HAS ALL THE RESPECT FROM THE REAL PEOPLE. WILL HIS NEXT ALBUM BE AS GOOD AS THE LAST ONE?
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 22:39

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msg Comment from: MEAZA G [Visitor]
I love you too much!
you are supper star of habesha artist.
I wish you long live with Prosperous & Joyful live without retirement.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 23:49

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msg Comment from: zee [Visitor]
Some of you, LEAVE TEDDY AFRO ALONE.
PermalinkPermalink 06/09/07 @ 01:26

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msg Comment from: Queen Sheba [Visitor]
Dear all

This young man resemble King Haileslase’s family . I think it is time to have a young handsome king with a beautiful voice. And all the Rastas's should come home to Shashmene.

We have to welcome 2000 with our King and the Rasta's. I should also resume my duty as the mother of the king. Those who call yourself Anonymous should stay anonyms because with this kind of mentality you should be ashamed yourself.

The Queen
PermalinkPermalink 06/09/07 @ 14:03

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msg Comment from: E [Visitor]
Dear Queen Sheba,

The king was uniquely who he was, and the family is an extension that each member is judged on its own merit. The fascination with that, stops at the king’s life, grace, disposition, contribution, mistakes etc.

If Teddy Afro continues to master his art, he could receive the deserving title, King of Ethiopia’s modern music.

Regards to the Queen, reincarnated?.
PermalinkPermalink 06/09/07 @ 16:01

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msg Comment from: simon [Visitor]
Anonymous
"your so called hero is an imature artist want to make use of false portryal of things and situations to gain fame and fortune"....well said man...well said....and I believe it clearly identifies this immature 'gold digger'....keeep up the good work of milking the diaspora thugs teddy..:))
PermalinkPermalink 06/09/07 @ 16:49

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msg Comment from: Ahmed [Visitor]
You know what? I really don’t understand why TPLF/EPRDF are against Teddy. Is it because of “Yastesereyal?” I don’t see the problem with this song. As far as I understand it, the message from the song is
- our plight starts from the day the king Haile selasie was thrown out of power.
- then there is red terror
- then we hopped that things will change when EPRDF comes to power
- but what we witness is political parties accusing and pointing fingures to each other with hate.
- we had enough with our past, what the people of Ethiopia need is for political parties to respect their differences and work towards eliminating Poverty and AIDS together.

Can anybody tell me what the problem is with that? You know when the problem with TPLF starts? When shiek alamudi asked him to sing for new year eve party with out “Yastesereyal” and he refused USD 15,000. Their reason, only because the opposition party uses his song for their propaganda (by the way I don‘t understand why the oppositions are using it too. If they listened to it the message is directed to all, it is not one sided).
Anybody is entitled to his oppinion, but no body can take away what teddy brought to Ethiopian Music.
He already set the standard and he is raising the bar. All young genrations are looking up to him. He is a role model before even getting to his 30‘s. Here is what I think teddy has brought to Ethiopian music
1) Creativity in his Lyrics and music. The message from his songs are up-to-date, to the point and which makes us say “you know what he is right”
2) Being his own man and having his own style instead of trying to imitate the previous musicians.
3) Praising all the good things of the society, “shemen Defer”, Dahlak” … could be an example
4) Praising Ethiopian heroes “haile”, Kenenisa”…

Simon,
You said “I despise that Teddy so much!!!! cuz in his song 'jah yasteserial', he only pointed out only the bad things or events out of our great history”
Did you really listed to his songs? He always sings about the good side of Ethiopia. Even the message about “Yastesereyal” is to remind the poletecians what kind of problem we are facing “Incase they forget”

The bottom line, why TPLF/EPRDF don’t like Teddy?, cose he sings about people from different race, religion to live together with peace and understanding. Why is that a problem with TPLF?, cose their policy is to divide and rule with terror. Here is TPLF message, by the way TPLF do not have a message to the whole Ethiopian people, you can see it even the way they send their delegate to North America and Europe.
1) To Amhara : they divide it in two part, for nefetegna amera, they would say if we are not in power, OLF, ONLF ….. Will destroy you. For Chekune Amehara, you have been oppressed and neftegna was “Besemachehu singed neber”
2) To Oromo: they divide it in two, for Muslim Oromo, if we are not in power, the OLF (christian oromo) will control you. For Christians, if we are not there nefetegna will come back
3) For Tigrians: if you don’t support us everybody is against you and distroy you…… goes on like this

Everybody knows this policy. If there was anybody who had any dought about TPLF, the 1997 election has shown the true face of TPLF.

By the way before I conclude, I want to point out something, currently there is a mobilization from TPLF directed to the Diaspora. Everything they talk about is the Diaspora. Why? because they don’t like the idea of Alliance. Even for a start, they have never ever thought this would happen. But the diaspora has started it. Alliance (AFD) very very frightening thing for TPLF. They want to destroy it, but they can not. It has been started it may take some time but we are heading towards the right direction. That is a good start
PermalinkPermalink 06/09/07 @ 18:11

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msg Comment from: SHOLA [Visitor]
teddy we love you keep doing what your doing for your habesehas god will be with you
PermalinkPermalink 06/09/07 @ 21:27

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msg Comment from: eden [Visitor]
Ra'Oeil,
tu as tres drole:)) mais i'm with you
teddy rocks, j'ai adore teddy!!!!
i appreciate what you did to show people
who doesn't like teddy that he is the best.
merci beaucoup Ra'Oeil:p
long live teddy!!!!!!!
PermalinkPermalink 06/09/07 @ 23:23

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msg Comment from: Abiyot [Visitor]
Teddy,
I realy respect u for the obvious talen
u have. But I share Solomon't openion &
I always felt that way. Haileselassie has
never never been a good leader, he is nevery
the face of Ethiopians. If any reader is
realy unhappy with my comment, I can say
nothing but u r biased & emotional. It's
true that he did diplomatic work against
the facist Mosolony and he didn't work
with them. I'm happy for that. But he was
a feudal, he believed in one race, one
religion, one tribe ... blah blah very clearly oppressive ideas. He oppressed
people who were Southerners, Oromos,
Muslims,.. anybody who is not Amhara
Christian. Don't interprete my comment
as a being from a person who is hostile
against those people, after all I'm
Ethiopian. But don't tell me he did a good
job by educating, developing, only people
who have the same social identity as him
and oppressing (for example in Harar) and
neglecting other people after verbally
saying 'the country belongs to everybody"
That's bulshit, I'm a proud Ethiopian,
but if u r a fair person,never attach
my citizenship with Haileselassie or
his Monarch.
PermalinkPermalink 06/10/07 @ 09:06

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msg Comment from: Ethiopian [Visitor]
Here we are idolizing a mere "Azmari" calling him great Ethiopian, ... etc. May I ask you you fools what Teddy has done for Ethiopia?

Wake up people there are many many True Ethiopians and none Ethiopians that have done done much more.

Let's hope in the next mellinium we could stand on our own legs and feed our people.
PermalinkPermalink 06/10/07 @ 14:00

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msg Comment from: Ethiopian [Visitor]
Moderation meaning sensorship?
PermalinkPermalink 06/10/07 @ 14:01

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msg Comment from: HAYAL [Visitor]
The Kinigit spirit is alive, thank you!
Teddy congratulations!
Oh! My God!
All the yehas and yirgacheffes are raving mad of jealousy, envy, inferiority complexes and all other grudges common among despised minorities!
A question to all!
Why is it always Ethiopian and not ethnic characteristics which break into the big bad world?
Because who gives a damn of stoopid african tribes who set up ludicrous liberation fronts like tplf!
And by the way Amharas always carry proudly the glory of Ethiopia!
And the prestigious and beautiful amharic language!
PermalinkPermalink 06/11/07 @ 05:33

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msg Comment from: MA [Visitor]
I did read the article at

http://ethiopianchurch.org/
Media/MonthlyMessages/
122006/teddyafro.html

and also comments by Visitor E above. There is no doubt Teddy is sensational but the implications of his songs on society could be very damaging. In effect, he is promoting the idea of Christian-Muslim marriages. The only institution that can marry a Christian and a Muslim is not the Church or the Mosque but a civic organization such as the Municipality. That surely makes both the church and the mosque irrelevant. And how are the children to be brought up? Is this what we want? In other words, we want to resolve a problem only to create a worse problem. I think we need to be coolheaded and not be taken in by flashy acts. Even Teddy can make mistakes and must be censured. Don't forget he may not be competent in interpreting for us our history or the history of societies or even the impact his songs will have on social policy and public morality. The fact that the Moderator of Nazret.com allowed Visitor E's opinion shows a commitment to serve public interests and allow the free flow of ideas!! Good job!

PermalinkPermalink 06/11/07 @ 09:31

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msg Comment from: tadiase [Visitor]
ne kene zarae newna bezhe demeshe leamelakachene keberen meseganane betaweta endate dese yelale meselh
PermalinkPermalink 06/11/07 @ 12:53

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msg Comment from: E [Visitor]
To MA,

I refrain from guessing where you are coming from. To say the least,You could have the followng approach on the issue.

"His critic on Muslim and Christian is well taken as we need the voice of an opposing view which stays guard of tradition, the meaning of faith etc. The “elder's” comment in a way responds to the level Teddy has reached with a reminder of a community or parental figure who in the future could discourage music that could be “liberal” in its lyrics. The elder’s statement could get translated so that “others” do not mis guide non Amharic readers." E
---------------------------------------
I do not believe that nazret.com or any other web site would have sensored any of my comments on the subject as posted here.

Visitor E





PermalinkPermalink 06/11/07 @ 16:49

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msg Comment from: JABA [Visitor]
Dam Teddy,

I hope we should NOT take a moment to direct this racist feudal habesha. We better tell him deep freez yourself like Haileselasse. Haileselesse is one of the ignorant devil in person in the history of human being. Teddy Please move on with the current birllint generation , do not lag behind like yourlaziness school drop out. Use your mind to come at front. Do not go anywhere! JUST FELL YOU GUT.
PermalinkPermalink 06/12/07 @ 02:13

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msg Comment from: Seleme [Visitor]


Ethiopian,

Just simple words/answer to your question.

Without one of this "Courageous Singer", the Ugliness of Evils will not exposed for those blinds same like you.

Without Teddy Afro, there is no song "SELEME". . .

You cannot interpret the meanings of his songs because your of brainless skull. . . wake up man. . .



PermalinkPermalink 06/12/07 @ 05:24

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msg Comment from: berta [Visitor]
i'm proud of tedi,and i wold like to say keep it up,
PermalinkPermalink 06/12/07 @ 10:21

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msg Comment from: lemagne and zefagne [Visitor]

bezhe zemen yemyawataw zefagne ena
lemagne mehone newna bele bele yhagera lege ketelebete.
PermalinkPermalink 06/12/07 @ 12:00

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msg Comment from: FUNGA [Visitor]
we love teddy
peace out!!!
PermalinkPermalink 06/12/07 @ 13:16

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