Fela Anikulapo Kuti… 25 years later!

Fela Anikulapo Kuti, emblematic character of “The Epic of Black Music”, left us on August 2, 1997. The “Black President” had shaken up the musical, political and social landscape of his country, Nigeria, by denouncing through his works dictatorships, corruptions and abuses of oppressive powers. Beyond the purely artistic aspect, Fela represented for the black communities of the whole world, the resistant, the fighter, able to face the obstacles and to make evolve/move the company. His musicality and his committed repertoire have animated the protesting spirit of millions of Africans. His message is still topical and, even if his absence is heavy, his protest momentum continues to guide the steps of his supporters and his heirs.

Two of his sons contribute to the preservation of heritage. Femi Kuti has retained his father’s militancy within him and Seun Kuti revives Fela’s sonic mood by leading the group Egypt 80. In their own way, they keep alive the expressive force of an icon whose cultural heritage must imperatively resist the erosion of time. If we had to define the contours of the sound space in which Fela evolved, we would speak of Jazz, Highlife, Soul, Juju, Funk, but it is always risky to reduce the intention of a creator to some imperfect names. Afrobeat is first of all the visceral emanation of a feeling, an experience, a destiny which continues to inspire many instrumentalists because, beyond the purely rhythmic and melodic dimension, the thought of Fela Kuti remains very much alive.

In 2017, the legendary vibraphonist Roy Ayers was on the bill at Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents. He had agreed to go on stage alongside Seun Kuti to greet his old comrade Fela, of whom he kept fond memories: “Fela’s message was unique. I am so sad that he left us. It was so exciting to be around Fela Kuti. His words were so strong that it opened my eyes and encouraged me to invest myself more in music. There were, moreover, excellent musicians in his orchestra. We should remember that he was a man of peace, a brother to many of us. And, at a time when confusion still reigns, when corruption pollutes human relations, it is fashionable to listen to Fela’s speech again because we are running to our loss. I miss him today…” (Roy Ayers on the microphone of Joe Farmer – July 2017).

At the end of this concert in Marseilles, Tony Allen, historical drummer of Fela Kuti, joined the merry troupe and gave this performance the legitimacy of a reverent tribute. The years have passed. Tony Allen has left us but the flame does not waver. For the past few months, it has been Fela’s grandson, Made Kuti, who seems to want to perpetuate the Nigerian image and tradition. Under the benevolent eye of his father, Femi Kuti, he developed an afrobeat roughness that the “Black President” would certainly have appreciated. his album Forward is an incentive to look to the future with determination and voluntarism. There is no doubt that generational transmission is already bearing fruit. We are witness to this, 25 years after the departure of Fela Ramsone Kuti.

⇒ The website of Fela Kuti.