Entertainment
Seven Facts About Fela Kuti Revealed
The 2nd day of August
2016 was the 15th anniversary of the death of the music legend, Fela Anikulapo Ransome Kuti. He is a legend that might live forever, and this is because he literally created a genre of music and a way of life.
He stood up for his belief and revolutionized the way many people thought, even years after his death yet, he was not called the ‘Abami Eda’ (weird one) for nothing. Below are some facts that prove he was indeed one of a kind.
Jay Z And Will Presents: Fela! Musical
First off, you have to be a really big deal to have a Broadway musical produced in your honor. And you have to be of greater importance to have a Broadway Musical produced in your honor 12 years after your death by the biggest names in an entertainment industry that is not even on your continent. This musical has II Tony nominations.
Steve Mcqueen Is Working On A Film About Fela Life
Now to truly understand and how great this is, Steve Mcqueen is a turner prize-winning artist and film maker, who won a Bafta for debut feature ‘Hunger’ He is currently working on a film about Fela and his life. According to rumours, award winning Nigerian actor Chiwetel Ejiofor is likely to act the lead role.
Fela Created Afro Beat
While many musicians can be said to be kings of music generes, He is a god when it comes to Afrobeat, because he created it, He created the genre when he returned to Nigeria in the late 60s, blending African rhythms with jazz and funk.
Fela Defied His Parents For Music
He attended the Abeokuta Grammar School in Abeokuta and later he was sent to London in 1958 to study medicine. However, the young man defied his parents and decided to study music instead at the Trinity College of Music, the trumpet being his preferred instrument. While there, he formed the band Koola Lobitos, playing a fusion of jazz and highlife.
Fela Built His Own Little Country In Nigeria
He built “Kalakuta Republic” his own personal domain, as an act of rebellion. It was complete with its own constitution and a free health clinic. Kalakuta offered sanctuary to the homeless. Students trooped in eager to take part in debates on Africa’s future. Marijuana flowed freely. Kalakuta was an affront to Nigeria’s dictators.
Fela Married 27 Women In One Day
Following the destruction of Kalakuta Republic in 1977 by soldiers, he married 27 women in a single ceremony-saying they were jobless after Kalakuta’s destruction so he would take care of them. The mass wedding was followed by a mass divorce 10 years later.
Fela Contested For Presidency In 1979
Later in 1978, he formed his own political party, which he called Movement of the People (MOP), in order to “clean up society like a mop”, as he liked to say. In 1979, he put himself forward for president in Nigeria’s first elections for more than a decade, but his candidature was refused by the ruling class. Fela lives on!!
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’