'Chemin de fer': The rise and rise of a virtuoso

By Kaleab Tamene

May 31st , 2005

The lyrics build and flow so easily-searching and shaking everyone there to be searched. They are rich both in form and content appealing to a varied audience in their own ways. They can be taken at face value or inspire a multi-dimensional beneath the surface association. For an Ethiopian lyric I would have to admit that his are unarguably different.

Teddy has once again hit the contemporary Ethiopian musical scene with an unprecedented ability to mix his nerve-tingling lyrics with a breakthrough rhythm. Many refer to his recent work as "unparalleled to none". That's an underestimation, I guess.

Teddy has been an artistic thunder that struck amidst the monotony of mainstream lyrics and rhythms that have plagued the Ethiopian musical landscape through the years. A rude awakening one can say. It doesn't take one long to observe that this prodigy simply stands out from the flock .Many appreciate his exceptional blessing to portray values and ideals close to an ordinary Ethiopian's heart in a simple and yet captivating manner.

His latest works emerged with an aesthetically and responsibly crafted political touch. To the discerning music critic, Teddy has flamboyantly described the Ethiopian religious and socio political setting with an unseen simplicity, vigor and audacity. Bravo Teddy!

Teddy's works are living testimonies to the power of well thought and organized musical themes in discerning the social forces at play in a given setting. It gives a clear direction as to how music can be exploited to convey messages flawlessly and successfully thereby striking chords which most humans consider close to their heart. Conversely it gives a clear signal that such works require thorough research and commonsense as they dwell on the very identities of people and issues beyond self. It goes with out saying that misrepresentations can have devastating consequences to artists' careers and the social fabric at large. A highly polarized socio-political atmosphere like ours requires utmost care and responsibility along every step of the way. Teddy seems have to have done his homework in this regard.

Teddy delves into the controversial and at times dividing issue of religion visa-vis cultures and societies portraying the simple formula with which Ethiopians coped and continue to cope with differences that otherwise are witnessed causing mammoth havoc around the globe. He implicitly conveys a blunt message that Ethiopia is home to a mosaic of cultures, religions and nationalities who count on aspects that bring them together instead of capitalizing on divisive issues that wreck the world today from modern day Iraq to Afghanistan in particular and the predominantly Christian west and the oriental Islam religious establishments in general.

I was astounded by his remarkable observation of the general socio-political landscape in present day Ethiopia and his visionary perspective on mainstream ethno-linguistic differences. The lyrics brush off the highly politicized question of nations ,nationalities in favor of underlining the unwavering fact that Ethiopians have a lot more in common than the perceived and at times enormously blown differences which politicians tend to play on in lieu of furthering broader and accommodating political goals.

What better times than now to come up with such themes? One of Teddy's apparent successes lies in his gift to let his themes speak the language of the day and elicit popular opinion. In so doing he has triumphantly managed to avoid theme fatigue and go with the times. I remember how easily and unwittingly I was overtaken by my emotions when I first saw his single video released to pay homage to the victory the Ethiopian Olympics Team registered in Athens. This video depicts a pain stricken Haile falling out of the leading group and the easily noticeable discomfort that engulfed the champion Kennenissa and his compatriot the moment onwards. It also gives another dimension to the distant observer of an Ethiopian's psyche: a heart going out to a mentor who was at the worst of times. A psyche that transcends beyond sheer competition amidst the world's top event where fame and riches are at stake. Though the video speaks for itself, for the first time in my adult years, did I witness words surpassing images in describing the brief period of agony that marked the beginning of the end of a medal sweep to the Ethiopian athletics team. That was where Teddy's gifts came in. They were simple sentences and swept me off my feet. It was there and then that I realized that there was something different when it comes to this chap. I was even entertaining 'the-hen-or-the-egg' kind of philosophical discourse in my mind where my senses seemed to fall for the video setting aside, at least for a while, an event that made me feel proud that I am born an Ethiopian.

Teddy's works are exemplary to our contemporary artists and entertainers as to how to exploit the enormous appeal of art and music without resorting to vulgarity. They prove the prowess of compact linguistic structures in hitting the nail on the head in contrast to the pages of lyrics that go into most Amharic songs. The same goes to his videos which exhibit notable synchronization with the lyrics-a measure of the extent of research that has gone into it. A good script writer in fact writes taking into account the materials that he has at his disposal. The art of fitting those materials into the script in turn goes to the video editor who plays an equally important part. With some experience in the trade I can easily see that Teddy commands a dream team that ultimately brought his grand plans to fruition. What a blessing!

No wonder his latest works have been banned from being broadcast on state run radio and TV. The theme dwelling on reconciliation seems to have annoyed the political establishment. One question remains to be asked though: how come that such a big dichotomy prevails between popular opinion and the perception of the incumbent government? Why does the public approve this artist's politicized themes where as the latter goes to the extent of banning the works ? Who is the weakest link here: the government or the public? Whatever response these questions entail banning works that already have record breaking sales would only serve the opposite purpose and create even more demand.

An acquaintance of mine who is an insider in the business has told me that Teddy's works are greeted with immense awe and fanfare among the Ethiopian artistic community in the Diaspora let alone the public. His determination to remain in Ethiopia despite his enormous popularity which is uncommon with our artists, coupled with his huge admiration by the public at large given his unsurpassed talents, creativity and boldness has earned him much respect among everyone.

Word has it that the days of market driven cassettes and off-the-shelf CDs is being cut short and eventually coming to a shrieking halt with the likes of Teddy singing to the tunes of the people. It can be argued that Teddy has raised the expectations to those venturing into the volatile business by pushing the frontiers of creativity and boldness far ahead. As is the case with the other trades, it's high time that the entertainer winning the ears of the audience be the one commanding the necessary talent combined with the right mix of creativity, research and hard work.

* 'Chemin de fer' (french term for railway) is the title of one the tracks of Teddy's new album 'yastesereyal'.