Mahmoud Ahmed

Ethiopian vocalist of Gurage descent, Mahmoud Ahmed was born on May 8, 1941 in the Mercato district of Addis Ababa. He began his professional singing career in the early 1960s at the Arizona Club, a semi-legal establishment where he worked in maintenance.

Despite facing challenges due to political unrest and restrictions on music production, Mahmoud's talent continued to shine. Following the Derg coup in 1974, which led to the imprisonment of Emperor Haile Selassie I and his family, Mahmoud and other musicians were forced underground domestically. However, he continued performing for foreign audiences and gained international recognition during extensive travels in the 1980s.

Today, Mahmoud Ahmed is celebrated as a highly acclaimed musician both at home and abroad. His contributions to Ethiopian music have earned him numerous accolades including the prestigious BBC World Music Award in 2007. With his soulful vocals and unique style, *Mahmoud Ahmed* remains an influential figure in Ethiopian music.