Felabration - Bringing the King of Afrobeat back to life

mediafela (37)in #music • 7 years ago

Hello everyone, Welcome to Fela's blog! 🔊

My first real post is going to be about a superstar, singer, musician, Panafricanist, polygamist, Legend and Fela Anikulapo Kuti also professionally known simply as Fela.

He was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, 15 October 1938
and died in lagos at the age of 58. He was a very talented musician who could play different instruments including the Saxophone, vocals, keyboard, trumpet and so on.

Fela’s name today is synonymous with afrobeat, that genre of music that blended jazz, disco and traditional African rhythms to create a rousing sound that Fela’s success rode on.

His music had a communal quality that he used to address topical issues as an activist. * itemSongs like “Zombie” and “Sorrow, Tears and Blood” spoke of the ruthlessness of Nigerian leaders.

The influence of Fela can first be seen in the songs. Most of our modern African musicians make songs based on his genre of music, Afrobeat. The likes of Tuface, dbanj, and the most recent of them Wizkid who sold out The Royal Albert hall in 2017. He claims to be the new "Fela".

Well the popstar words cannot be undermined as this is evident in his several accolades. His popular song "ojuelegba" that took him to the international scene is pure Afrobeat. His hit single "sweet love" and so many others are relics of the man he refers to as a mentor

Fela's compositions can be found in almost every genre of Nigerian music. (The Net)
Nigerian artistes are all too happy to take lines, phrases, sonic progressions or entire paragraph of lyrics from a Fela song.
Fela will forever live on in Nigeria Music.

Fela's achievements resounds home and abroad as Music legends like Jay-Z, P Diddy, Kanye West offer endorsement deals to support Afrobeat even after his death. Paul McCartney of one greatest music group - The Beatles, offered Fela an endorsement which he refused. Fela is known for his stubbornness and controversies.

Every year, Nigerians celebrate the music legend in a one week music festival called Felabration. The one-week-long event which is held annually at the New Afrika Shrine(kalakuta Republic) in Ikeja, attracts visitors from different countries on tourism. It is held on the week of Fela's birthday. The event features musical performances from top music acts from Nigeria and guest appearances from internationally artists too. It also consists of street parades, symposia on social and topical issues, social media banter, debates and so much more.

Pictures from the music festival..