መሃሙድ አህመድ | Mehamoud Ahmed
Basic Identity
- Real Name and Stage Name : His real name is Mahmoud Ahmed, and he is professionally known by the same name — Mahmoud Ahmed.
- Date and Place of Birth : He was born on May 8, 1941, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Age / Current Age or Age at Death : As of April 2025, Mahmoud Ahmed is 83 years old.
- Siblings : There is no publicly confirmed information about his siblings or their identities.
- Background and Upbringing : Mahmoud Ahmed grew up in the Mercato district of Addis Ababa, one of the city’s liveliest and most culturally diverse neighborhoods. Coming from a humble background, he worked as a shoe-shiner and later as a handyman at the Arizona Club, a popular nightclub where many legendary musicians performed. His exposure to live music and the nightclub scene nurtured his passion, eventually giving him a chance to perform — marking the beginning of his legendary journey in Ethiopian music.
Career
- Career Start and Early Breakthrough : Mahmoud Ahmed began his music career in the early 1960s while working as a shoe-shiner in Addis Ababa. He got his big break when he asked to sing with the Imperial Bodyguard Band after their vocalist didn’t show up. His raw talent quickly got noticed, and he was hired permanently.
- First Song / Breakthrough Hit : His breakthrough hit was “Ere Mela Mela” released in 1975, which became a massive success in Ethiopia. It later gained international fame when it was featured on Éthiopiques Vol. 7, bringing him a second wave of global recognition in the late 1990s.
- Major Milestones and Achievements : Released “Tezeta” and “Ere Mela Mela,” both considered foundational Ethio-Jazz albums. Contributed to the success of the Éthiopiques series, which helped introduce Ethiopian music to the world. Performed at major venues worldwide including Paris, London, New York, and Washington D.C. Worked with renowned musicians like Mulatu Astatke and Either/Orchestra.
- Awards and Recognitions : He received the BBC World Music Award in 2007, one of the most prestigious honors in world music, recognizing his contribution to the global appreciation of Ethiopian musical heritage.
- International Reach and Diaspora Performances : Mahmoud Ahmed is one of the first Ethiopian musicians to gain international fame, with his music licensed and distributed globally through labels like Buda Musique (France) and Mississippi Records (USA). He has been featured in global music festivals and cultural showcases, including WOMAD and Lincoln Center Out of Doors.
Albums
Tracks
| Teresash Wey | Tiz Tiz Eyalegn | Enema Neberku |
| Endegena | Ebakesh Tarekign | Engedaye Nesh |
| Yeshi Haregitu | Fitsum Dink Lej Nesh | Tew Lemed Gelaye |
Personal Life
- Relationship Status and Children : Marriage: Mahmoud Ahmed’s marital status has not been publicly disclosed. Children: There is no verified public information available regarding his children.
- Net Worth and Assets : Net Worth: Estimated to be between $500,000 to $1 million. Home: Owns residential property in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Cars: No specific vehicle ownership details are publicly available. Other Assets & Ventures: Known for investing in the preservation of Ethiopian music, supporting archives and cultural initiatives related to traditional Ethiopian sounds.
- Current Residence and Lifestyle : Location: Lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Lifestyle: Described by those close to him as humble, deeply spiritual, and culturally rooted. He is passionate about traditional Ethiopian storytelling, poetry, and Orthodox Christian practices, and leads a modest, culturally engaged life primarily centered on his legacy and music preservation efforts.
Business
- Business & Cultural Investment : Mahmoud Ahmed is primarily celebrated for his cultural impact and musical legacy rather than commercial ventures. Unlike many modern artists, he hasn’t been publicly linked to branded business partnerships or endorsements. However, his participation in multiple global heritage tours and collaborations with record labels such as Buda Musique (Ethiopiques series) indirectly reflects his contributions to cultural entrepreneurship — helping to globalize Ethio-jazz. Mahmoud has supported Ethiopian music institutions, historical preservation projects, and traditional music archiving efforts but has not launched a business under his name.
-SOURCES-
afropop.org
musicinafrica.net
bbc.co.uk
budamusique.com
discogs.com
youtube.com
2 thoughts on “MEHAMOUD AHMED | መሃሙድ አህመድ”
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