Tewodros Kassahun Germamo[1] (Amharic: ቴዎድሮስ ካሳሁን ገርማሞ; born 14 July 1976),[1] known professionally as Teddy Afro, is an Ethiopian singer-songwriter.
Mixing reggae, traditional Ethiopian styles, and pop music, his sophomore LP, 2005's Yasteseryal yielded a major hit in its controversial title track, which criticized corruption in the country's government.
Teddy's lyrical sentiments and the release of this album coincided with the elevated political tension in Ethiopia surrounding the 2005 Ethiopian general election.
The album is dedicated to Emperor Menelik II and the Battle of Adwa, the war of colonial resistance between the Ethiopian forces and the Italian Empire in 1896.
AdikaRecords' producer Ashenafi Zeleke mentioned that the music markets required 500,000 CDs and 200,000 cassettes for the album, indicating its popularity.
[13] On 21 June 2022, a song titled "Na'at" was released following a massacre of 600 Amharas in Gimbi district in West Wollega Zone of Oromia Region.
[17] On 6 December 2006[failed verification], Teddy was jailed for four years in connection with an alleged hit-and-run incident during the 2005 Ethiopian general election.
[18][19] Teddy's earlier work was solely based on reggae fusion but gradually turned with Ethiopian music employing traditional vibrato vocals, and itchy triplet of "Amhara sound".