| Ethiopiques: The Vision and Perseverance
By Abel Merawi
 November 28, 2019 (Ezega.com) -- The spirit of brave Ethiopians in battles with their valorous deeds has been written in volumes and it has been the source of pride for Ethiopian through generations. But the battlefield was not the only frontier for Ethiopians. Music has also been another one that was rescued by brave visionaries. It is common to hear both the young and the old praise Ethiopian music from the 1960s to the 90s. They are classical works that serve as a paragon of music for the generations that followed. Even though the music has been celebrated, the story behind it has not been widely known and given recognition.
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| Ethiopian Singer Abby Lakew Donates All Proceeds from Album to Charity
 October 14, 2017 - Ethiopian singer Abby Lakew announced that she will be donating all proceeds from her latest album to charity. Local Ethiopian charity ‘Mekedonia Home for the Elderly and Mentally Disabled’ is to be the recipient of the gesture from the star.
One hundred thousand copies of the Ethiopian singer albums are to be released in the coming weeks, with more to be followed. Her latest work, her second full-length album is a follow up to the hit – “Man’ale” a bilingual album of Amharic and English songs from 2007 which cost USD 40,000 to make. It was produced at a studio in New York made
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| Ethiopian Singer Betty G Becomes UNHCR High Profile Supporter
 October 8, 2017 - One of Africa’s fastest rising Ethiopian music stars, Betty G, has been named as Ethiopia’s high profile supporter of United Nation Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Betty G, who catapulted to stardom following the release of her debut album “Manew Fitsum” in 2015, said “We have a government that is willing to do even more for refugees. Your voice, talent and prominent role in the field of arts, will help to expand knowledge and awareness of some 850,000 refugees currently hosted in the country.”
UNHCR’s Representative in Ethiopia, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, welcomed Betty G at th
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| Ethiopian Government Reportedly Halts Teddy Afro Concert
 September 3, 2017 - Ethiopian authorities are taking a series of measures to prevent Teddy Afro’s event from taking place in the capital, Addis Ababa, reports the BBC. A BBC reporter says federal police showed up at the hotel in Addis Ababa hours before the party and stopped Teddy's sound team from setting up.
His manager told the BBC that they are yet to get official reasons why the launch party was cancelled.
The Ethiopian Pop star is a huge figure throughout Ethiopia. Teddy enjoys almost cult-like following and his latest album - his fifth - has elevated him to legendary status in Ethiopia’s music industry. His lat
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| Ethiopia to Host Its Largest Ever Concert in Memory of Bob Marley
 September 3, 2017 - Ethiopia will host its largest ever concert for Bob Marley in February 2018, reports IOL.ZA. According to the report, India.Arie, Angelique Kidjo and the Marley family will join a roster of international music stars in Ethiopia to celebrate the 60th birthday of the late reggae legend Bob Marley - the first time the event has been held outside the singer's native Jamaica.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to participate in a month of festivities in Ethiopia starting Feb. 1 dubbed "Africa Unite" in tribute to one of Marley's many famous songs. The highlight is Ethiopia's largest ever concert on Marley
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| Teddy Afro’s Concert Denied Permit for Third Time
 August 23, 2017 - Ethiopian musician Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro’s) New Year’s Eve concert has been denied a permit, according reports. The Ethiopian Pop star’s concert, which was to take place on 10 September at the Addis Ababa’s Millennium Hall, was expected to draw more than 10,000 Ethiopian fans. The artist was reportedly to receive $76,980 (1.8 million Ethiopian birr) from organizers of the event, Joy Events and Promotion PLC, which sent an application to the Ethiopian government at the start of July.
According to Addis Ababa Mayor’s Office, the decision was taken to give space to a d
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| Teddy Afro, the Ethiopian Music Phenomenon
 By Seble Teweldebirhan
May 9, 2017 (Ezega.com) - It seems puzzling to see people in a cold, rainy morning in Addis Ababa waiting in line to buy a CD album and admit that they don’t even own a CD player. However, many couldn’t pass the opportunity to buy Teddy Afro’s new music album titled Ethiopia. “It has a sentimental value to me’’ said Teshale Moges, a bank teller, as he stood in line smiling and admitting that he doesn’t own a CD players since he considers them outdated. But he proudly said he would keep the new Tewodros Kassahun (AKA Teddy Afro) 5th studio album in his house. The CD was the hotte
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| Ethiopian Band Yegna to Continue Despite Funding Cut from UK
 January 16, 2017 - Yegna Managing Director Solome Tadesse spoke on Tuesday of continuation of the project despite the UK Department for International Development (DFID)’s decision to cut its funding for the project. DFID has been working with Yegna for the past four years and had a plan to give it GBP 11.8 million between 2015 and 2018 through its partner Girl Effect. But DFID announced the end of its partnership with Yegna a few days ago.
Though DFID said the decision came after a review of Yegna project and a belief that there were more effective ways to spend UK aid, Solome said th
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| Micheal and Zeritu Rock the Stage with 'Nafkot ena Fiker'
By Seble Teweldebirhan
 Addis Ababa, March 19, 2013, (Ezega.com) – On a chilly Saturday night two weeks ago, Lafto Mall in Addis Ababa was crowded with more than 4000 excited fans of Michael Belaynehe and Zeritu Kebede. The two contemporary stars of Ethiopian music had a concert following the new album by Michael titled &ls
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| Is Modern Ethiopian Music Failing the Test of Time?
By Seble Teweldebirhan
 Addis Ababa, November 19, 2012 (Ezega.com) - Every night, Jazzamba lounge at Taitu Hotel entertains audiences with some of renowned musicians of the country. The first hotel in Ethiopia built in 1898 by the Wife of Menelik the II Itegu
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| Teddy Afro’s Tikur Sew Music Video Launched
By Seble Teweldebirhan
.jpg) Addis Ababa, June 11, 2012 (Ezega.com) - Teddy Afro’s recent album, Tikur Sew or Black Man, is going through a serious scrutiny. The attitude towards the album has changed form ‘wow Teddy Afro&r
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| The Making of Modern Music in Ethiopia
By Seble Teweldebirhan
 Addis Ababa, June 7, 2012 (Ezega.com) - One of the most contemporary sounds in Ethiopian music is made by Nhatnael Ayalew, also known as Nhatty Man by his stage name. The young musician is modern in every way. From his style to his app
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| Teddy Afro Dominates Ethiopian Music Scene Once Again
By Seble Teweldebirhan
 Addis Ababa, April 24, 2012 (Ezega.com) - The much-anticipated album of all time, Teddy Afro’s Tekur Sew (or Black Man), was released last week on the eve of Easter.
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| Japanese Drum Band Performs at the National Theatre
By Seble Teweldebirhan
 Addis Ababa, October 6, 2011 (Ezega.com) - The Embassy of Japan, together with the Japan Foundation, presented a unique drum and tap dance mix show at the National Theatre on Tuesday this week. The concert titled “Blendrums” was led by renowned Japanese drummer Leonard Eto and his group of drummers and tap dancers who are visiting Ethiopia as part of their East Africa tou
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| Teddy Afro Entertains Crowd In Addis
January 13, 2010 -- Tewodros Kassahun entertained his fans on Thursday, January 7, the Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas Day, in his second performance in Addis Ababa since being released from prison in August 2009.
Fans, estimated to number over 10,000 by organisers, danced and sang to the tunes that preach freedom and equality at the Ghion Hotel show.
Teddy Afro donated the proceeds to Elshaday Relief and Development Association to eliminate begging and street living.
Source:
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| Salsa Dance Sweeping Ethiopian Capital
.jpg) ADDIS ABABA, January 1, 2010 — It's a far cry from Ethiopia's traditional Eskista shoulder shake dance, but Salsa is sweeping Addis Ababa with aficionados twirling and spinning their way across the city's dance floors each night, reports AFP.
From just one Salsa school five years ago, started by a US-educated Ethiopian entrepreneur, some 10 more have sprouted in this city of five million people.
At a packed club, businessman Daniel Nigussie, jauntily clad in a white satin shirt and fedora, is getting ready to show off his latest moves with dancer partner Seble Asrat.
"I came here to win and I'm prepared for it,&quo
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| Ethiopia’s Addis Acoustic Band to participate at WOMEX ‘09
.jpg) By Eden Habtamu, Ezega News
Addis Ababa, October 30 -- Addis Acoustic Project has been selected to participate at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) 2009 which is due to be held at the Concert Center (Koncerthuset) in the Danish city of Copenhagen, from October 28 to November 1 , 2009.
The Addis Acoustic Band was chosen from the nine hundred bands that applied to participate at event, becoming one of only forty bands that will parti
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| Ethiopia Beyonce concert fails due to row over broadcasting
Addis Ababa, September 14, 2009 -- Beyoncé Knowles, the 28-year old world famous R&B singer and Hollywood actress, will not be coming to perform in Addis Abeba as it was announced by promoters here, reliable sources disclosed.
The sensational performer, honoured as Billboard Woman of the Year on August 25, 2009, had agreed to come to Addis for her second performance scheduled for October 31, 2009. It was meant to be part of her third world tour, inclu
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