Monday, October 15, marks the 80th posthumous birthday of Afrobeat creator Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Much has been said and written about the enigma who defied the powers that be and had more than his fair share of life. Countless stories have been told about him, JAY-Z and Will Smith bankrolled a Broadway play about his life and times.
With the abundance of reference materials, Fela still remains a mystery. How the son of a clergy and feminist dumped medicine for music, invented a new genre of music and ridiculed military regimes on wax, is a tale that tingles ears years after his death.
Proof of Fela’s larger-than-life appeal will be on full display during the week-long Felabration at the New Afrikan Shrine. The annual music festival is a celebration of Fela Kuti’s impact, influence and legacy. Since its inception in 1998, the 20-year-old festival has attracted the curious as well as thousands of devotees to the spiritual home of Afrobeat.
To Nigeria’s youth, Fela’s iconic lifestyle has been a major pull. His classics are still unfortunately relevant, while his liberal attitude and lifestyle have made him a cult hero.
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Dede Mabiaku, who was Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s protege, said the late legend died slowly after being injected with a poisonous...