Entertainment
Ambode Unveils Fela’s Statue …As 2017 Edition Of Felabration Ends
The Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode has unveiled the statue of Afro Beat Legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti as part of the activities that marked the 2017 edition of Felabration. The statue is at the Kalakuta museum located at Allen round about in Ikeja, Lagos. The statue is titled “Liberation.”
One of the high points of the one week event include a ground breaking performance by the last son of the late Afro beat king. Seun Kuti who dished out a couple of his late father’s popular songs which left the crowd screaming and singing along with him.
Fela’s 79th posthumous birthday was held on Sunday 15th October 2017. The Felabration festival was conceptualized to remember the iconic musician and political activist. The events included workshops and concerts.
Twenty years after his death, Fela is still a hero to millions for his contributions on stage and off it. As the creator of Afro beats, social critic, political activist and champion of the under priviledged as well as philosopher of his political ideology Fela’s influence has continued to spread.
Every year Felabration attracts over hundred artistes both locally and internationally and the 2017 edition was no different as Nigerians and artistes showed up enmass to pay homage to the Legend.
“This years event with the theme “The Prophesy” concerned at the Afrika Shrine Ikeja on 9th October and lasted till October 15. Some of the A-List artistes who graced the occasion at last Sunday’s grand Finale of the Felabration include Wizkid, Burna Boy, Oritsefemi, Tecno and Solid Star.
Others include Reminisce, Seun Kuti, Small Doctor, Terry Akpala, Terry G, sound Sultan, Eva, MZ, Kiss and many others. Artistes like Small Doctor and Terry G. surprised their fans by throwing money and their jewelries to the crowd even as they all screamed with anxiety.
Frontline Afrobeat crooner, Wizid trilled his fans with ‘Ojuegba’ a song that earned him international recognition. The ‘come closer’ singer performed amid conspicuous vibes from lovers and well wishers. Wizkid was also joined on stage by Femi Kuti, Fela’s eldest son to perform ‘Omo Jaiye Jaiye.”
Fans at the event could not have enough of reggae, but dancehall singer Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy conspicuously shirtless stormed the stage with much enthusiasm. He effortlessly twisted his waste to his song, ‘soke’ as well as Temper (remix). Other artistes who performed at the event were Ycee, Ayuba, Lagbaja etc.
Fela died August 2, 1997 following complications from his contraction of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.
Nancy Briggs
