Mahmoud Ahmed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mahmoud Ahmed
ማሕሙድ አሕመድ |
|
|---|---|
Mahmoud Ahmed performing in 2005
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 8 May 1941 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Origin | Gurage, Ethiopia |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres |
|
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels |
|
Mahmoud Ahmed (born May 8, 1941) is a famous singer from Ethiopia. He sings in Amharic. He became very popular in Ethiopia in the 1970s. Later, people of Ethiopian heritage living in other countries loved his music. After that, he became famous around the world, especially in Europe and the Americas.
Contents
Mahmoud Ahmed's Early Life and Music Journey
Mahmoud Ahmed was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From a young age, he loved listening to music on the radio. Mahmoud didn't do well in school. He first worked as a shoeshiner. Later, he became a handyman at a place called the Arizona Club.
This club was where the Emperor's special band, the Imperial Bodyguard Band, often played. One night in 1962, the band's singer was not there. Mahmoud asked if he could sing a few songs. He soon became a regular singer with the band. He stayed with them until 1974.
Starting His Recording Career
Mahmoud released his first songs, "Nafqot New Yegodagn" and "Yasdestal," in 1971. He recorded these with the Venus Band. Throughout the 1970s, he continued to make music. He worked with different bands for record labels like Amha and Kaifa.
During this time, the government in Ethiopia changed. This affected the music industry. The Imperial Bodyguard Band stopped playing. But Mahmoud kept making hit songs and cassettes. He worked with many musicians who stayed in the country. These included the Dahlak Band and the Ibex Band. He also started releasing his own solo music. For these, he played instruments like the krar, guitar, or mandolin.
Music in the 1980s and Beyond
By 1978, new rules made it hard to release music on vinyl records. So, Mahmoud started releasing his music on cassettes instead. In the 1980s, Mahmoud opened his own music store in Addis Ababa. He also continued his singing career.
Many Ethiopians were living in other countries as refugees. Mahmoud was one of the first modern Ethiopian musicians to perform in the United States. He went on a tour in 1980–1981 with the Walias Band and other artists. Mahmoud then started releasing records with the Roha Band. He became very popular among Ethiopian communities living abroad.
International Recognition and Ere Mela Mela
In 1986, Mahmoud's music reached a bigger audience in Western countries. A Belgian record company called Crammed Discs released a collection of his songs. This album was called Ere Mela Mela. It included songs Mahmoud had recorded earlier with the Ibex Band.
At that time, Ethiopia was in the news because of difficult times. The joyful sound of Mahmoud's music was a contrast. His first international album was highly praised by people who loved world music. Mahmoud became even more famous worldwide in the late 1990s. This happened after Buda Musique started the Éthiopiques series of CDs.
This led to new recordings and tours in Europe and the United States. He performed with groups like Boston's Either/Orchestra and Badume Band. Mahmoud still lives in Addis Ababa. He also works with many helpful organizations. He continues to travel and perform for fans of world music and for Ethiopians living abroad.
Exploring the Tizita Music Style
In 1996, Mahmoud released Tizita. This CD and cassette had 10 of his best songs. He released a second volume about two years later. These albums were made with members of the Roha Band, along with Abegazu Kibrework and Tilaye Gebre.
While Ere Mela Mela made him well-known, Mahmoud is famous for his Tizita music. Tizita is a slow and soulful style of music. It makes you think about the past. The word "Tizita" means "memories." It is similar to the feeling of saudade in Portuguese fado music. Many songs on his 1997 album Soul of Addis talk about similar feelings. Words like love, lonely, longing, and alone appear often.
Mahmoud Ahmed's Other Talents and Awards
Many people don't know that Mahmoud is also a visual artist. He creates drawings and illustrations. He uses a pencil to draw different things, depending on how he feels. Once, a French cultural center in Addis Ababa asked him to show his artwork. But he chose not to.
In 2000, Mahmoud released the album Hulum Yisma. This album surprised fans with new songs and lyrics. Most songs were arranged by Dawit Yifru from the Roha Band. Mahmoud also worked with a newer, younger group called the 3M Band.
Members of the 3M Band later worked with Mahmoud again. In 2003, they recorded Yitbarek. This album featured traditional Ethiopian wedding songs mixed with some of Mahmoud’s older tunes. Songs like "Musheraye" and "Hay Loga" are well-known traditional melodies from this album.
Even though he hasn't released new recordings in years, Mahmoud's career is still active. He has recorded with other famous artists. These include Tsehay Yohannes, Gossaye Tesfaye, and Tommy T.
In 2007, Mahmoud won a BBC World Music Award. In 2015, he appeared on a TV show called Parts Unknown. This episode was filmed in Ethiopia.
Mahmoud Ahmed's Music Albums
- Almaz with Ibex Band (1973 LP; reissued on CD in 1999 as Éthiopiques Volume 6 by Buda Musique)
- Alemye (1974 LP, reissued on CD in 2005 as Éthiopiques Volume 19 by Buda Musique)
- Ere Mela Mela (1975 LP, rereleased on Crammed Discs in 1986 with extra tracks, remixed, expanded and reissued on CD in 2000 as Etiopiques Volume 7 by Buda Musique)
- Soul of Addis (1997, Earthworks/Stern's Africa)
- Slow Collections (1998, Sounds of Abyssinia)
- Live in Paris (1998, Long Distance)
- Yitbarek (2003, Yene Production, rereleased by Nahom Records in 2007)
- Tizita Vol. 1 (The Best of...) (2003, AIT Records)
- Tizita Vol. 2 (The Best of...) (2003, AIT Records)
- The Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia (2004, World Music Network)
- Ethiogroove: Mahmoud Ahmed & Either/Orchestra, with Tsedenia G. Markos (2007, EthioSonic DVD)
- Éthiopiques Live: Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete & Badume's Band (2009, Innacor DVD)
- Éthiopiques 26: Mahmoud Ahmed & Imperial Bodyguard Band, 1972–1974 (collects music from singles released on the Philips label)
- The Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia (2012, World Music Network)
