Everybody Is Hailing Billboard-Topping Musician <PERSON>, Except Ethiopian State Media · Global Voices
<PERSON> live in concert. YouTube video.
Ethiopian pop singer <PERSON>, better known as <PERSON>, was all set to be the subject of a highly-promoted interview with Ethiopian state broadcaster EBC, before authorities suddenly pulled the plug.
<PERSON> interview was scheduled to broadcast on Sunday, May 14, with the artist expected to discuss the success of his latest album,'Ethiopia’, which is currently sitting at the top of Billboard’s “World Music Chart”. But <PERSON>, a veteran government journalist confirmed on his Facebook page on May 12 that the interview would not be aired.
Ethiopian authorities are regular culprits of political censorship, targeting journalists and artists alike. 23
<PERSON>'s songs are often critical of the Ethiopian state.
Before <PERSON>'s Facebook post, the state broadcaster had quietly removed a short video containing a promotional excerpt from the interview with <PERSON> from its Facebook page.
https://globalvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Teddy-Afro-New-Interview-on-EBC-Ethiopia-ቴዲ-አፍሮ-ቃለ-መጠይቅ-በኢቢሲ.mp4
Just hours later, <PERSON>, another pro-government journalist wrote on Twitter that the interview is back on, but the broadcaster has refused to confirm or deny that statement.
At last! EBC reached in a decision to air <PERSON> Interview
— Awramba Times (@AwrambaTimes) May 13, 2017
‘Ethiopia’ stormed to number one on Billboard's World Music albums chart following record-breaking sales both internationally and domestically. Since <PERSON> released the title song on his YouTube Channel on April 16, the song has racked up over three million views.
‘Ethiopia’ is <PERSON>'s fifth album. All his previous albums were bestsellers in Ethiopia but his Billboard achievement is unprecedented for any artist from the country.
Following the success of his album, <PERSON> gave interviews to different international media including Associated Press (the story was published in several major newspapers) and Voice Of America's Amharic service. He is also scheduled to appear on BBC Africa.
It was perhaps this surge in international interest that put Ethiopian state television under pressure to interview <PERSON>, despite state-affiliated media broadly ignoring his achievement up until that point.
However, as fans waited in curiosity for the broadcast, the censorship machine did what it does best, and spoiled the party. 23