ተሾመ ምትኩ | Teshome Mitiku
Basic Identity
What is the artist's real name and stage name?
- His real name is Teshome Mitiku, and he is also professionally known by the same name.
Where and when was the artist born?
- Teshome Mitiku was born in 1949 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
How old is the artist currently?
As of 2025, Teshome Mitiku is approximately 76 years old.
Who are the artist’s parents (mother and father)?
There is no publicly documented information about Teshome Mitiku’s parents.
Does the artist have any siblings? If so, who are they?
Teshome Mitiku has a brother named Theodros Mitiku (also known as Teddy Mitiku), who was a celebrated Ethiopian saxophonist and member of the Soul Ekos Band.
What is the artist’s background and upbringing like?
Teshome Mitiku grew up in Addis Ababa and began his music journey at an early age. He was one of the pioneering figures of modern Ethiopian music in the 1960s and played a significant role in blending jazz, soul, and Ethiopian traditional music. He was the lead singer of the Soul Ekos Band, one of Ethiopia’s first modern music groups. Later, he left Ethiopia due to political unrest and lived in various countries, including Sweden and the United States.
Career
When and how did the artist start their music career ?
Teshome Mitiku began his professional music career in the early 1960s in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He gained prominence as the lead vocalist for the Soul Ekos Band, one of Ethiopia’s first modern music ensembles that fused jazz, soul, and R&B with traditional Ethiopian sounds. This marked the beginning of a revolutionary era in Ethiopian music known as Ethio-jazz, and Teshome was at its forefront.
What was the artist’s first song &/or Breakthrough Hit ?
His major breakthrough came with the 1960s classic “Gara Sir New Betesh”—a powerful, emotive song that became a national sensation. This hit cemented Teshome’s place in the Ethiopian music scene and is still regarded as a cultural staple.
What are some major milestones or accomplishments in the artist’s career?
Lead singer of Soul Ekos Band, one of Ethiopia’s pioneering modern bands.
Played a central role in launching the Ethio-jazz movement, a genre that later gained global recognition.
Relocated to Sweden and later the U.S., where he continued performing and composing while promoting Ethiopian music abroad.
Released solo works such as the album “Yeweyn Abeba” in 2003, merging his traditional roots with global jazz influences.
Participated in global cultural festivals, including Heritage Music Series events in the U.S. and Europe.
What awards, honors, or special recognitions has the artist received?
Though not documented to have won mainstream awards, Teshome Mitiku is widely acknowledged as a pioneer and legend in Ethiopian music.
Honored at cultural music festivals, diaspora heritage events, and Ethiopian Jazz Nights in the U.S. and Sweden.
His works have been archived in various world music heritage collections.
Has the artist received international attention or signed global deals?
Yes. After leaving Ethiopia during the 1970s, Teshome lived in Sweden, where he collaborated with European jazz musicians and participated in world music tours. His return to the U.S. scene in the 2000s brought renewed interest in his work, especially with the resurgence of Ethio-jazz globally. Although he may not have signed with major commercial labels, his work was distributed through independent international platforms and continues to be celebrated by global jazz and world music communities.
Albums
Tracks
- Mot Adeladlogn
- Gara Sir New Betsh
- Sebebe Nesh
- Yene Akal
- Yegna Neger
- Susegnash
- Almetam Kerehu
Personal Life
Is the artist married, in a relationship, or single — and do they have any children?
- Teshome Mitiku is married and has children. One of his children is Emilia Mitiku, a Swedish pop and soul singer known for her 1998 hit “Big Big World” .
What is the artist’s estimated net worth, and are there any known details about their lifestyle, such as homes, vehicles, or other major assets?
There is no publicly available information regarding Teshome Mitiku’ s estimated net worth or specific details about his lifestyle, such as homes, vehicles, or other major assets.
Where does the artist currently live, and what is known about their day-to-day environment or personal lifestyle?
Teshome Mitiku currently resides in Washington, D.C., United States .
Business
Aside from their musical career, has the artist ventured into any businesses, brand partnerships, or entrepreneurial projects?
Teshome Mitiku is primarily known for his influential role in the evolution of Ethiopian music rather than commercial business ventures.
However, after moving to Sweden and later the United States, he has been actively involved in music education, cultural preservation, and performance collaborations with jazz and world music artists.
He has been a strong advocate for Ethiopian cultural representation in the diaspora, often performing in Ethiopian communities and festivals abroad.
Teshome has also worked on restoring and remastering classic tracks and reportedly participated in discussions for archiving Ethiopia’s golden era music through modern platforms and rights management.
While there’s no confirmed record of him launching independent businesses like restaurants or brands, his focus has remained artistic and educational, using his experience to mentor and support upcoming talents.
-SOURCES-
Wikipedia
Discogs
Afropop Worldwide
Music In Africa
YouTube
DireTube
Arts TV World
EBS Music
AllMusic
BalagerGroove.com
Apple Music
Spotify
Banning Eyre’s Book
BBC
Swedish Interviews