The man, the legend, the myth! Fela Anikulapo Kuti is an iconic figure, whose evergreen songs and legacy, are being carried on and transcend time. His legacy continues to inspire Nigerian youths, albeit in evolving ways but why and how?
I recently visited the National Museum located at Onikan, Lagos Island on a sightseeing and information gathering adventure. I therefore decided to use this opportunity to engage some fellow youths who had come around (6 of them were more open and expressive as regards to a conversation). After brief introductions and exchange of plesantries, I opened the floor with questions pertaining to our great subject matter. Itohan, a fair skinned beautiful lady in the group, had this to say. " I grew up listening to Fela. My dad would always play his tapes every morning. And from the little I could grasp as I was very young, I got to know he wasn't just a music artist but a political activist who spoke strongly against corrupt government officials, injustices and the societal vices of his time and is as such a strong point of reference for us youth anytime we think of protesting or speaking up against bad governance" she narrated. Having spoken with the others, I got to realise that Fela was and is still very much admired by many both old and young alike for his great contributions to music and his bold activism whilst alive. Other comments from young people present were 'Not a day passes by without you hearing them on the airwave, media houses and street surburbs" or "The man is dead but is music, legacy and influences live on".
So here are my top 5 reasons listing why Fela's Legacy continues to inspire Nigerian youths throughout a span of some 27 years after his demise.
Inspiration for youth activism. In an age when Nigerian youths are increasingly vocal about issues such as police brutality, bad governance, and economic hardship, Fela's fearlessness serves as a model for contemporary youth activism. The #endsars Movement, which gained global attention in 2020, is an example on how young Nigerians continue to use social media and public demonstrations to challenge government injustices. Something Fela himself pioneered through his concerts and public apperances.
Afrocentric Ideology. His "Afrocentric" philosophy, which encouraged Africans to embrace their culture and reject colonial influence, is still a central theme in contemporary Nigerian youth culture. This is seen in the growing popularity of "Afrocentrism" in fashion, art, and language, where there is a shift away from western ideals and towards embracing authentic African identities.
Fela as a symbol of Defiance. Fela's uncompromising stance against authority is particularly powerful in a Nigeria where issues of corruption, police brutality, and lack of accountability still persist. For youths who face struggles such as unemployment, lack of basic infrastructures and government oppression, Fela's legacy serves as and continues to serve as a reminder that it is possible to speak truth to those in power.
Cultural Rebellion. Fela's personal style and his love for traditional African attire, his dreadlocks, and his refusal to conform to social expectations continues to inspire many youths who challenge social and societal norms. His example of rejecting conformity and embracing individuality encourages young Nigerians to be unapologetically themselves.
The Fela effect in modern politics. Many contemporary Nigerian poltical and social movements draw inspiration from Fela's activism. For instance, during the 2019 Nigerian elections, Fela's son, Seun Kuti, performed at political rallies calling for better governance, while other musicians echoed Fela's critiques of the state.
Fela's influence on Nigerian artists today
As the pioneer of Afrobeat, Fela's influence remains deeply embedded in Nigerian music, culture and politics. His revolutionary approach to music-blending traditional African rhythms with jazz, funk and highlife transformed the musical landscape, not even only in Nigeria but globally. Fela's influence is still evident in contemporary Nigerian music, with many Nigerian artists such as Burna Boy, Oritse Femi, Wizkid, D' banj, Brymo, etc. citing him as a major inspiration. The fusion of Afrobeats with modern genres like hip hop reflects his lasting impact. It is noteworthy to also mention that Fela was an exceptional instrumentalist and had a way of synchronising various musical instruments. Especially the combination of saxophone, trumpets, guitar, piano and konga drums to make wonderful sounds. This greatly appeals to music lovers that fancy beautiful sounds emanating dexterity at handling instruments. This makes Fela until today the face of saxophonists in the country. Many young and both old saxophonists like the renowned Beejay sax, Pst Kunle Ajayi, etc listen to his music and imitate his style.
The importance of African identity also led to a resurgence of interests in his work, with modern Afrobeat artists like Burna boy, Wizkid and Seun Kuti, Fela's own son, drawing on Fela's legacy in both their music and activism. Many Youths still till today very much regard Fela as a symbol of African identity and pride. His music and lifestyle challenged colonial legacies and celebrated African culture. Fela came from a very popular family, and he was very brilliant and above all, he was a notorious and wild entertainer. His signature symbol is that of an incredible chain smoker and explicit sex addict. These two last aspects still very much appeal to a thriving arm of the entertainment sector of both young and old who are frequent clubbers, afro singers and hip hop artists. They find expression in displaying these habits, talents, activities and lifestyles at events such as "Felabration", which is an annual music festival established in 1998 to honor Fela's life and contributions. The event takes place in October, around the anniversary of Fela's birth at Fela shrine, located in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
The Kuti's political legacy
Nonetheless, Fela's influence extends beyond music. His activism, boldness and ability to address societal issues through his art makes him a role model for young people who are increasingly vocal about political and social change, particularly in the face of economic struggles and political instability in Nigeria at the moment. His Lyrics, which often critiqued political corruption, social injustices, and government oppression, still resonates with younger generations facing similiar challenges in contemporary Nigeria. Many Nigerian youths find inspiration in his defiance against the government, his fearless advocacy for freedom, and his unapologetical stance on issues like corruption, human rights. His songs like "Zombie" and "Sorrow Tears and blood" continue to inspire protests and movements. Fela's siblings were themselves well known political activists and critics, especially Beko. Activism, in fact, makes most of Fela's music more popular and evergreen in Nigeria. Today, hardly can you speak of a national socio-political commentator or critic that is not familiar with some of Fela's tracks. They easily refer to some of his tracks to drive home their points on certain national issues.
Fela's heirs
The most popular of Fela's sons are Femi and Seun Kuti.
They are, like their father, very popular even more as activists than as singers. Seun Kuti, for instance, who currently leads his father's former band "Egypt 80", is appreciated by many for continuing his father's legacy of Afrobeat and activism. His music often addresses social issues and he is seen as a bridge between Fela's Era and contemporary movements. Seun began performing with his fathers band at a young age, showcasing his talent and passion for music early on. After Fela's death in 1997, Seun took over leadership of Egypt 80, preserving the Afrobeat genre while infusing it with his own style. His debut album, "Many Things" was released in 2008, receiving critical acclaim. Seun's music often addresses social injustice, corruption, and the struggles of the Nigerian people, making him a prominent voice in contemporary African music. In addition to his music career, Seun is also known for his activism. He has spoken out against government corruptiom and has participated in various social movements in Nigeria. His performances are characterized by energetic stage presence and a commitment to the messages in his songs. See one of his latest gig in London last month.
Some of the contemporary social issues Seun Kuti often addresses in his music are:
*Corruption and Government failure: Seun is outspoken about the corruption that permeates Nigerian politics, particularly the greed and ineptitude of political leaders. His lyrics often criticizes the governments failure to address issues like poverty, unemployment and the poor state of public services as in his song "Struggle" (From-"Africa with Fury:The kings speech" 2011).
*Police Brutality and Human Rights: Much like his father, Seun frequently touches on the abuse of power by law enforcement. He highlights police brutality, the unjust treatment of the masses and the violation of human rights by security forces.
*Economic inequality: Seun's music reflects the deep economic disparity in Nigeria and the wider African continent. He often sings about the struggles of the working class. The rich-poor divide and the exploitation of ordinary people by both local and multi-national powers such as his song "IMF"(From-" Black Times" 2018).
*Social injustice and political oppression: Seun Kuti often uses his music/platform to advocate for the rights of the marginalized. His songs decry political oppression and the way the system often silences dissent, particularly in relation to freedom of speech and press such as his song "Rise"(From-"A long way to the beginning" 2017).
*Cultural identity and African Pride: Seun Kuti also stresses the importance of cultural pride and the reclamation of African identity. His lyrics celebrate African heritage and often challenge western imperalism and the negative stereotypes of African global media, such as in his song "Black Woman"(From- "Many Things"2008)
*Environmental Issues: In recent years,Seun Kuti has also spoken out about environmental degradation, particularly in the Niger Delta region, where oil extraction has led to significant ecological damage.
In conclusion, Fela's legacy remains highly relevant, providing both a musical and socio - political blue print that continues to inspire Nigerian youths to challenge the status quo and express their frustrations, hopes and aspirations.
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