Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Sewasew Multimedia has issued a public statement clarifying the reasons behind the termination of its contract with Ethiopia's iconic artist, Tewodros Kassahun, widely known as Teddy Afro. The announcement comes just hours before the highly anticipated release of Teddy Afro's new album, "Ethiopica," marking his return after a nine-year hiatus since his acclaimed "Ethiopia" album.
In a detailed explanation released this evening, Sewasew Multimedia vehemently refuted widespread social media rumors suggesting that the contract was dissolved because the company sought to exclude certain tracks from Teddy Afro's upcoming album. The multimedia firm labeled these claims as "completely false information."
Sewasew Multimedia emphasized that it had never engaged in discussions with the celebrated singer regarding the musical content of his new work. Furthermore, the company stated that it had not even had the opportunity to listen to Teddy Afro's new album, underscoring the baseless nature of the circulating rumors. The firm highlighted that such deliberately misleading information had been actively spread across various social media platforms.
According to Sewasew Multimedia, the primary reason for the termination of the agreement was a fundamental disagreement over the rights to Caller Ring Back Tones (CRBT). The dispute centered on the question of "who owns" these crucial audio enhancement rights, a significant revenue stream for artists in the digital age. This difference in opinion ultimately led to the dissolution of their contractual relationship.
Despite the contractual complexities, Teddy Afro is set to release "Ethiopica," his first album in nearly a decade, tomorrow, April 16, 2026 (Miazia 8, 2018 E.C.). The album will be made available to his global fanbase at 2:00 PM East Africa Time (EAT) via his official YouTube channel and various international music streaming platforms.
Teddy Afro's previous album, "Ethiopia," released nine years ago, was a monumental success, solidifying his status as one of the most influential and beloved musicians in Ethiopian history. His music often blends traditional Ethiopian sounds with contemporary pop, reggae, and R&B, carrying powerful messages of patriotism, unity, and social commentary. The long wait for "Ethiopica" has generated immense excitement and speculation among his millions of fans both within Ethiopia and across the diaspora.
The resolution of the contractual dispute, even if it means a separation, clears the air for the album's launch, allowing fans to focus on the music itself. The controversy surrounding the CRBT rights also sheds light on the evolving landscape of music distribution and artist rights in the digital era, a topic of increasing importance for musicians and publishers alike.
As "Ethiopica" prepares to drop, the focus now shifts to the music, with fans eagerly anticipating what new narratives and melodies Teddy Afro will bring after his extended absence from the album scene.
Source: Telegram / tikvahethiopia