A Unique Fela
Sometimes in life, one experiences a seminal moment that opens one's mind to new vistas. I had one of these encounters in the early 80s in Lagos, Nigeria. During this time, I was working for a major airline based in Lagos, and little did I know that not too far away from the airport hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, I was a stone's throw away from one of Africa's premier musicians. Fela Kuti was the self-proclaimed "King of African Music."
Ola George for YAME Digital
Fela Kuti
Afrobeat Pioneer | Nigerian Activist
Sometimes in life, one experiences a seminal moment that opens one's mind to new vistas. I had one of these encounters in the early 80s in Lagos, Nigeria. During this time, I was working for a major airline based in Lagos, and little did I know that not too far away from the airport hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, I was a stone's throw away from one of Africa's premier musicians. Fela Kuti was the self-proclaimed "King of African Music."
Locals took us to Fela's compound where we met the mercurial musician—a man of few words. However, you could sense his powerful energy.
The environment of his compound was always packed with various visitors, admirers, and his entourage.
Fela was born in 1938 to educated parents—one being a pastor and the other an activist and school teacher. Fela's parents wanted him to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers, who were doctors.
During his sojourn in England, Fela discovered the joys of music. Later on a trip to the United States, Fela became entranced by the African-American civil rights movement. He became more interested not only in the ideals of the movement but also in African nationalism and spirituality.
Fela Kuti, Afrobeat Pioneer | Nigerian Activist
On returning to Nigeria Fela became disenchanted with the state of politics, especially the brutality of the Biafran War.
Fela became the leading proponent of Afrobeat for his powerful horn playing and outspoken lyrics. He challenged the legitimacy of the Nigerian government and made many enemies for his outspoken lyrics.
The tension between his outspokenness led the Nigerian government to assault his compound. As a result, he was badly beaten and his mother was thrown out a window. Fela then found himself in the infamous Lagos Prison, Kiri-Kiri.
After his release from prison, Fela, bruised and battered, remained undeterred. He continued to criticize the corruption of government officials in his beloved Nigeria.
As his reputation grew, many people flocked to Lagos to experience this man's new sound, including Paul McCartney of The Beatles. Initially, Fela was wary of McCartney, expressing concern that he had come to Africa to appropriate the music of black artists.
After meeting McCartney, the two became fast friends. McCartney, after seeing Fela perform live, said that his mind was completely blown, leading to a mutual respect.
Inside Fela Kuti’s shrine, one of the world’s most sacred musical meccas
I had the pleasure of visiting the shrine where he performed. The shrine was Fela's primary venue in Lagos. Like McCartney, I was blown away by the intensity of his Afrobeat sounds.
The Afrobeat sound reverberated around the walls driven by Fela's passion for his craft.
Always a rebel, Fela contemplated running for president of Nigeria, a thought likely to cause heart palpitations in some segments of Nigerian society. His dedication to his music and ideology can be compared to that of Bob Marley. The king of Afrobeat passed away in 1997 at the age of 58. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy and memory will endure forever.
Music Is The Weapon
Ola George for YAME Digital — yame[dot]space. Join in on the conversation by posting comments about the sights and places you have visited during your travels. We hold Space for everyone on YAME.
Idris Elba: Why I'm Planning a Move To Africa
"I’m going to live in Accra, I’m going to live in Freetown [Sierra Leone’s capital], I’m going to live in Zanzibar. I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories - that’s really important." British actor Idris Elba has told the BBC that he will relocate to Africa within the next decade as part of his plans to support the continent’s movie industry.
Thomas Naadi | BBC News, Accra"I’m going to live in Accra, I’m going to live in Freetown [Sierra Leone’s capital], I’m going to live in Zanzibar. I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories - that’s really important." British actor Idris Elba has told the BBC that he will relocate to Africa within the next decade as part of his plans to support the continent’s movie industry.
Elba (right) attended the US Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC in 2022
Thomas Naadi | BBC News, AccraBritish actor Idris Elba has told the BBC that he will relocate to Africa within the next decade as part of his plans to support the continent’s movie industry.
The 52-year-old star of the hit series The Wire is behind nascent projects to build a film studio on the Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar as well as one in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.
Born in London, Elba, whose mother is from Ghana and father from Sierra Leone, has a strong attachment to Africa.
He wants to leverage his star power to back its burgeoning film business as he says it is vital that Africans get to tell their own stories.
"I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen," he said in an interview on the sidelines of an industry meeting in Accra.
"I think [I’ll move] in the next five, 10 years, God willing. I’m here to bolster the film industry - that is a 10-year process - I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent."
But in the spirit of Pan-Africanism, he will not commit to living in a specific place.
"I’m going to live in Accra, I’m going to live in Freetown [Sierra Leone’s capital], I’m going to live in Zanzibar. I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories - that’s really important."
One goal he does have is to make a film in his studio in Accra one day.
'Own those stories'
Elba, who played South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela in the 2013 biopic Long Walk to Freedom, believes that it is vital for Africans to be center-stage in the entire film-making process. That is in front of the camera, behind the camera, and also in financing, distribution, marketing, and showing the final product.
He imagines that just as movie audiences around the world know the differences between the US cities of New York and Los Angeles without necessarily ever having visited them, they will one day have a more nuanced understanding of the continent.
"This sector is a soft power, not just across Ghana but across Africa.
"If you watch any film or anything that has got to do with Africa, all you’re going to see is trauma, how we were slaves, how we were colonised, how it’s just war and when you come to Africa, you will realise that it’s not true.
"So, it’s really important that we own those stories of our tradition, of our culture, of our languages, of the differences between one language and another. The world doesn’t know that."
With Nigeria’s Nollywood producing hundreds of movies a year, films are arguably one of the country’s most successful exports. There is also a tradition, especially in parts of Francophone Africa, of making high-quality films.
Elba has previously recognized the talent in Africa's film industry, but said the facilities were "lacking".
A 2022 report from UNESCO backed up the actor.
The UN's cultural agency said that despite "significant growth in production", the business of film-making across the continent was hindered by issues such as piracy, insubstantial training opportunities, and a lack of official film institutions.
Elba believes with the right momentum and involvement of governments willing to create an enabling environment, a virtuous circle can be established.
"We have to invest in our story-telling because when you see me, you see a little version of yourself and that encourages us."
Credit Source: BBC News, AccraRELATED
Sierra Leone on Wednesday, December 18, 2019: Elba’s visit to Sierra Leone had been long-awaited.