Entertainment
Nigerians Remember Fela As Economic Recession Worsens
Many years after Afobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti died, things have become worse. One of the core reasons Fela Kuti is being revered as a legend is his ability to use his music as a weapon and oftentimes, Fela has been quoted in that regard.
Nigeria more than ever misses the legend, Fela, especially dealing with the present harsh economic realities. One reason the legend of Fela lives long is that his music was very society conscious and politically motivated. He used his music to echo the desires of the masses who are voiceless and gagged. For about four decades now the political injustice and societal imbalance Fela sang about is still very much in display.
Since the dawn of the millennium, Nigerian music has flourished beyond what the older generations witnessed, but that seemingly comes with compromise and indifference from the current breed of artistes. Everyone seems okay with the evils that persist or worse still, “we act like saying nothing spoil”.
Our generation of Nigerian artistes are cowards and selfish to say the least. None of them should soliloquy even in their closets about coming close to being “Fela Kuti in legends or to be upheld in that regards. Fela Kuti was not a coward. Our dear artitses are chasing commercial success (which isn’t bad) but neglect simple civic responsibilities to the community they were raised, to whom much is given much is expected.
Making massive dance tunes helps us cope with our problems, but it never erases it. We still wake up to it daily. 2 Baba came really close to hitting the same spotlight as Fela, but he messed up his chances. It is well understood 2 Baba did not initiate the anti government protest. He showed support and promised to participate only to pull a “coitus interuptus” at night before the protest. Main reason behind the withdrawal is allegedly for “Damage Control”.
It should have occurred to 2 Baba before his pull out that the path he had chosen was an uneasy one. Challenges, threats should be well expected. We all know Fela had to deal with opposition, arrest, loss of property and his dear mother as he sought to b an agent of change.
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.’