Teddy Afro Terminates Sewasew Multimedia Contract, Returns 33 Million Birr Ahead of New Album ‘ETORIKA’

EBR_News Apr 15, 2026

By Betegbar Yaregal

Ethiopian music icon Teddy Afro has officially terminated his contract with Sewasew Multimedia by mutual agreement, returning 33 million birr to the publisher as he prepares to release his highly anticipated ninth studio album, “Etorika,” independently on Thursday, April 16.

The financial settlement covers the original 25 million birr advance the artist received four years ago, plus accumulated bank interest over the contract period, according to the artist’s management and confirmed by Sewasew Multimedia. The termination comes after prolonged disagreements over contract renewal terms, dispelling various political rumors circulating on social media.

The partnership, originally valued at 50 million birr, began four years ago with an initial payment of 25 million birr. However, during negotiations to renew the contract as the album release approached, new points of contention emerged that both parties could not resolve.

Key disagreements included Sewasew Multimedia’s proposal to host Teddy Afro’s previous catalog exclusively on their platform in exchange for annual prepayments, a condition the artist rejected. Additionally, Teddy Afro requested revisions to the revenue-sharing agreement for Caller Ring Back Tones (CRBT), a major revenue stream for Ethiopian artists, which Sewasew did not accept.

Unable to reach a consensus, both parties agreed to a peaceful and legal termination. Two weeks ago, final discussions were held, resulting in Teddy Afro returning the 33 million birr to Sewasew Multimedia, who confirmed the transaction and stated that “the contract was terminated by mutual agreement due to disagreements during the work process.”

His new album, “Etorika,” will debut on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM on his official YouTube channel and across global music streaming platforms. While rumors suggested a Saturday release, the artist’s management told the “Ethiopikalink” entertainment program that the specific date and time were chosen by Teddy Afro for symbolic reasons.

The album will be released independently without a publishing partner, marking a significant shift in the artist’s distribution strategy.