Millions of listeners have flocked to a new release by Teddy Afro, as the Ethiopian music icon delivers what many interpret as a veiled critique of the government.
The track, “Das Tal” – meaning “put up the tent” – has surpassed seven million views on YouTube within hours of its release on Thursday, quickly gaining traction across the country and diaspora communities.
Drawing on the imagery of a traditional mourning tent, the song laments a nation the artist suggests has been lost. “The spirit of being Ethiopian is now pushed away,” the 49-year-old sings, voicing grief and alienation in his homeland.
The release was preceded by controversy after a planned preview event for journalists in Addis Ababa was abruptly cancelled for unclear reasons.
Teddy Afro, whose real name is Tewodros Kassahun, has long maintained a complicated relationship with Ethiopia’s political establishment. Widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential musicians, he has previously clashed with authorities and spent 16 months in prison two decades ago on charges he said were politically motivated.
His 2017 album “Ethiopia” topped the Billboard World Albums chart and called for national unity, but its official release in the country was blocked amid mass anti-government protests led largely by Oromo groups.
Those demonstrations ultimately contributed to the rise of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who came to power promising reconciliation across Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic landscape.
Teddy Afro initially welcomed that shift, but has since grown increasingly critical, citing ongoing violence and government actions, including the devastating two-year war in northern Ethiopia that killed hundreds of thousands.
In 2022, the artist warned of rising “tribalism” in another release – a theme that continues in his latest song.
While Abiy Ahmed continues to emphasise unity as central to Ethiopia’s future, the growing popularity of “Das Tal” highlights lingering public unease ahead of the country’s upcoming general election in June.