Entertainment
Fans Immortalise Fela 22 Years After Transition
On August 2, 1997, Nigeria lost an icon, a music legend, activist and Afro beat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti who died at the age of 58, but not without making an impact that has been felt several decades after.
Fela fought for many things during his time that he and his family suffered as a result of his outspoken nature. This however did not stop him even though he was thrown in and out of prison on several occasions.
Well, Fela might have passed on for 22 years now, but Nigerians and many people all over the world still celebrate him. His style of music has now become hot stuff in the country and other parts of the world as foreign musicians now want to identify with him and Afro beat music.
Many Nigerians were filled with pride when they saw a trending video of US Naval force, Europe band, Topside performing one of Fela’s most popular songs ‘Water No Get Enemy’ on Sunday July 28 at Freedom Park in Lagos. The topside performed several of American and Nigerian tunes to the delight of 170 guests lucky to be present at the historic relaxation centre.
A number of well wishers from all over the world have taken to social media to immortalise him. According to them, “Fela transitioned on this day, 22 years ago, Kuti (together with Marian Makeba, Franco, Evora, Farka Toure, Masekela) is one of the greatest musicians ever to come out of Africa. It was a constant thorn on the flesh of government and music was his weapon.
“Fela was not only a musician of revolutionary sound/message, but also a seer, sage, philosopher King, poet, prophet and leader of a formless boundless, intergenerational and cross cultural revolution. The revolution will not be in the berets or ‘Aso ebi”, it begins in the mind”.
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
