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Death and the legacy of FelaKuti – Toni Kan

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5 years ago

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Death, many people say, can be the biggest career move and for proof they point to Michael Jackson who was mired in debt at the time of his death but whose estate is now worth millions and millions more than he made while alive.
Death has always fascinated pop culture, especially when the dead is famous or infamous and young to boot. Think Jimi Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse, Jean-Michel Basquiat. These rock stars captured the popular imagination, blazed bright like a meteor then fizzled out like shooting stars.
The phenomenon of dying young has been so analyzed that someone came up with the 27 Club – a constellation of famous peoplewho died at the age of 27 from drug over dose, alcohol addiction, car or plane crashes as well as suicide or homicide.
Most of them are white (Hendrix and Basquiat no), most of them American but has death ever boosted the career or renown of an African celebrity? The answer is yes and the most famous must be FelaAnikulapoKuti, the iconic musician, jazz aficionado and fiery activist who was a thorn in the flesh of successive military regimes.
Fela died 22 years ago at age 59. He was nowhere near 27 and by that time had adult children – Yeni, Femi and Shola, who died young. He was world renowned and celebrated and hounded at home. His residence, famously known asKalakuta Republic (named after the prison cell he occupied while incarcerated at Kirikiri prisons. His cell was called Calcutta but Fela corrupted it to Kalakuta) was raided onFebruary 18, 1977 by what reports say were over 1,000 soldiers.
Denizens of the commune including some of his wives were beaten and raped and the bulding burnt down but not before his aged mother was thrown out of the window. She died from her injuries.
But the loss of his mother and his republic did not diminish Fela’s stridency. He remained militant to the very end dying from complications arising from HIV/AIDs just four months after he left prison.
He was as well known for his music as he was for his activism and today when a musician or celebrity of whatever stripe is conscious people liken him or her to Fela.
But how did death boost Fela’s career. Alive, Fela was mercurial and tempestuous. His music albums were mostly one song albums that sometimes lasted for over 20 minutes. His intros were famous for featuring call and response choruses and then long jazz pieces that seemed to go along for interminable moments. Radio stations found him a nightmare and attempts by music labels to remaster and cut short his songs for the new CD technology were rebuffed. The only close examples in contemporary western music would be Bohemian Rhapsody, the Queen song from the 1975 album “A Night at the Opera” which clocks in at 6 minutes and then Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield’s 1973 studio album which extends to 49 minutes.
Fela was therefore a peculiar kind of musical artist with an oeuvre that was as potent musically as it was politically. For Fela, music was a weapon and one he wielded in many ways as if it was the lasso of truth with which he whipped the military and autocrats and kleptocrats into line.
His music was critical of soldiers whom he called zombies but soldiers loved to listen to his music because it was also critical of the government and often plumbed the depths of the pervasive social malaise and political morass.
Fela’s music was a leveler and had an uncanny ability for transcending class and gender, moving fluidly between the mainland and island and breaching class strictures. Visitorsto the Africa Shrine in what is now Computer Village in Ikeja, where Fela played live sets every Friday when he was not on tour would find bank CEOs and messengers dancing and smoking as they listened to Fela’s music. The shrine was a democratic locale where music was a unifying factor.
It is also important to note how Fela’s music is at home in the mouths of the rich as well as the poor with men from different sides of the track laying equal claim to the man, musician and prophet.
Fela’s death was devastating but in dying Fela seemed to step across the threshold from legend into myth. His death many say made his children instant millionaires and then his music re-mastered and available widely on CD spawned a whole new generation of fans, many of them not yet born or mere toddlers when Fela transited from this realm.
Today, Afrobeat, the musical genre he pioneered is played across the world from Portugal to the UK, the US to Spain. Books have been written about him, documentaries shot and a Broadway show has travelled the world presenting Fela as maverick musician, activist and prophet.
But Fela’s reputation has been cemented and augmented more by a hybrid sound, a derivative christened afrobeats and made popular by young African musical artists who have evolved a whole new sound described by the poet and music DamiAjayi as having begun with the Kennis music group, D Remedies.
According to Dr. Ajayi – “Afrobeats is perhaps the biggest cultural export from West Africa to the rest of Africa and the world. There is little doubt that this music of both Nigerian and Ghanaian origins will continue to enjoy mainstream global prominence.
Afrobeats went mainstream in Nigeria about two decades ago when D Remedies, released their hit song, Shako Mo, under Kennis Music label. The song sampled instrumentals from MC Lyte’sKeep On Keeping On, which also, interestingly, sampled Michael Jackson’s Liberian Girl. With that connection, one can easily link Afrobeat auspiciously to the late King of Pop.
Today, Afrobeats, a fusion of Hip-Hop and African rhythms, has since eschewed overt Western influences in favour of African idioms and musical traditions. Highlife, Juju, Fuji, Apala, Makossa, Sokous and Afrobeats have become cannon fodder for this music and the benefits are multidirectional. Ultimately, one can argue that Afrobeats is making the old new.”
But what has become clear is that many of the biggest Afrobeats stars have adopted FelaKuti as both muse and creative forge. This year again as we celebrate the life and times and legacy of Felakuti during the weeklong Felabration at Freedom Park and beyond, we will be reminded that his death has made him more relevant than he ever was alive and a bigger musical brand to boot.
The list is long but UzomaIhejirika writing inthelagosreviewattempts to put it all in perspective – “Founded 21 years ago by YeniAnikulapo-Kuti, Felabration presents an opportunity to acknowledge Fela Kuti’s contribution through Afrobeat, the genre of music he pioneered. His jazz-inspired, robust sound continues to spark a creative flame in the hearts of Nigerians—both admirers and detractors— who no matter what cannot ignore Fela, the man and the musical icon.
That creative flame continues to burn in contemporary Nigeria even amongst artistes who were not born or were mere children when Fela became an ancestor. These artistes have made the Afrobeat genre a foundation upon which to speak about their fears, their frustrations, and their joys.”

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Society

Reactions as Korra Obidi travels to Hawaii for vacation after fans donated $50,000 for legal fee

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5 days ago

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May 13, 2024

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Nigerians across social media have begun to slam popular Nigerian-American singer and dancer, Korra Obidi, as she flew immediately to Hawaii in the United States after completing her GoFundMe $50,000 target.

Obidi created GoFundMe on Friday to seek a good lawyer, adding that she wants to overturn the right of her ex-husband, Justin Dean, over their kids.

According to her, she would need money to get a good lawyer, which is why she created the GoFundMe account to meet the target of $100,000.

The account generated over $50,000 raised from over 950 donors worldwide.

“As a mother, it’s time to fight for myself and my kids,” Obidi said. She also shared her GoFundMe account details, seeking the assistance of fans and friends.

However, on Sunday, the dancer, after raising the money, said during a live session on Facebook that she had plans for a vacation in Hawaii.

Her decision has been greeted by outrage from her fans, with many alleging that the main intent of the GoFundMe was never to file a suit against the husband but to lavish on her extravagant lifestyle.

Wanda Johnson, a Facebook user, said, “She got y’all’s money, now she’s at the airport. Some of you are so weak to believe her foolishness. She is always begging, scamming, and manipulating.”

“You are gradually becoming a professional beggar on social media,” one Chigoziri Ohochukwu on Facebook opined.

“Mad that she can’t post pictures because without posting pictures she can’t make money. She needs to post pictures of her kids to make money. But she would rather go to Hawaii than see.Her children sickening and people gave her $.Or whatever was on that go find me.People needs to report the go fund me everybody needs to report to get their money back,” a user who identifies as Jennifer Lynn Russell claimed.

Nene Peters stated, “WTF you was just on here crying about you need a lawyer now, you traveling. I’m done with you wow.”

“Two days ago she was crying for donation now she is traveling,” said Hermi Matilya

Meanwhile, Bridget O’Connell said, “Yeah I’m not gonna lie Traveling to Hawaii is crazy after receiving all that money for Lawyer girl! You shoulda did that in silence.”

Also, Mary Monique Napont said, “It’s none of your business lady. She is an influencer, performer, student, and most importantly a great mother. Leave her be. You are a part of the problem. She’s not hurting you in any way. If you don’t like her, don’t follow her. It’s that simple.”

Recall that the divorce and custody battle between Obidi and Dean has been on the public scene lately. Recent developments have granted Justin the right to restrict their two children from featuring on Obidi’s online content.

She posted a plea online, accusing Dean of abuse and “gaslighting” during their marriage, claiming he is now subjecting their daughters to similar treatment.

 

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Police declare Lagos socialite wanted for murder, cyber-stalking

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5 days ago

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May 13, 2024

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The Nigeria Police Force, on Sunday, declared a Lagos socialite and blogger, Dorcas Adeyinka, wanted for alleged cyber-stalking, abduction and murder, among others.

The police urged members of the public to “arrest and hand over the suspect to the nearest police station or the office of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja.”

The police further described Adeyinka as a married female Yoruba blogger from Ekiti State and Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

She is said to be approximately 1.64m tall with an oval face, tribal marks, pointed nose, wide mouth, full and white dentition, and light-skinned with black eyes.

The police added that she lives in the United Kingdom, and frequently visits Ikeja, Ogudu and Fagba in Lagos State, as well as Otta and Sango in Ogun State.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had earlier reported that a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, summoned two social media users for defaming Adeyinka by allegedly sharing her nude photo online.

In the court summons dated Thursday, May 9, 2024, which was obtained by our correspondent, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the two defendants – Tolulope Adeoye aka Abike Jagaban, and Tolulope Odegbami aka Olowosibi – to appear in persons before the court on June 4, 2024, to answer the charges levelled against them by the complainant.

The summons followed a criminal complaint filed by the complainant’s lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of an Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor.

The socialite accused the defendants of sharing her nude photo on social media and ridiculing her.

The application partly read, “On March 5, 2022, Abike Jagaban shared the complainant’s nude pictures on YouTube, directing her followers to different online platforms where the complainant’s pictures were/are shared and ridiculed the complainant in the process.

“The video was captioned, ‘Abike Jagaban on Dorcas Adeyinka, aka TMS Blog.’ These actions have exposed the complainant to contempt, hatred and detestation as some people can be seen making disparaging remarks against the person of the complainant in the comment section of the above-referenced post. Abike Jagaban has also bullied the complainant in another video titled, ‘How Abike Jagaban bullied Dorcas Adeyinka,” among others.”

The complainant told the court that the alleged actions of the defendants constituted criminal defamation and contravened Section 391 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, in suit number CR/93/2024 with motion number MN/140/2024, Magistrate Iyanna ordered the complainant to serve the defendants with the criminal summons and all other subsequent processes of the court via their social media handles or pages @Tolulope Omolara Ghaba (Facebook) and @Princess Tolulope Ajike Olowosibi (Facebook).

The magistrate adjourned the matter till June 4, 2024, and ordered that the two defendants be present in court on the said date.

 

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Society

Even if arrest warrant was illegally obtained, Bello should’ve appeared in court – Judge

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1 week ago

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May 10, 2024

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By Taiye Agbaje

 

Abuja, May 10, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday granted the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear in court for his trial.

 

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the former governor ought to appeared before the court before making any application.

 

He insisted that even if the arrest warrant was illegally obtained, the defendant (Bello) should have still shown up in court.

 

It would be tracked that the judge had, on April 23, fixed today for the ruling on the former governor’s application to set aside the arrest warrant against him.

 

The EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had, on April 17, moved the ex-parte application for the arrest warrant.

 

But Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, on April 23, prayed the court to set aside the arrest warrant against their client

.

He canvassed that the arrest warrant had become unnecessary since their lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, had accepted the service of the charge on behalf of the ex-governor.

 

He argued that the arrest warrant order, having been made before the charge ought to be set aside suo motu (on its own accord, without any request by the parties involved).

 

The senior lawyer argued that contrary to the submission of the lawyer who appeared for EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, that the ex-governor must be in court first before any application could be entertained being a criminal case.

 

He said that the anti-graft agency also made an application on April 18 after the warrant arrest was issued to EFCC on April 17 and that the court granted it.

 

The lawyer submitted that the arrest warrant was issued in favour of the EFCC by the court in violation of fair hearing to their client.

 

He noted that the complainant made an application for substituted service on 18th day of April after the arrest warrant had been issued on 17th day of April and today, my noble lord granted it.

 

“The court must satisfy itself that the defendant (Bello) will not be prejudiced in fairness if the warrant of arrest continues to hang on his neck, having been made before service of the charge contrary to Section 394 of ACJA,” Adeola argued.

 

He argued that justice should be a three-way traffic; that is, justice to the prosecution, the defendant and the public.

 

He said for Bello to appear in court, he must have the notion that he would get justice.

 

Adedipe also argued that the EFCC was an unconstitutional body because its establishment was not ratified by the 36 states of the federation.

 

He said that for the EFCC to become a constitutional body, the 36 states of the federation must ratify the law establishing it as against the current position, that the EFCC Establishment Act was unilaterally ratified by the Federal Government.

 

He, therefore, asked the judge to vacate the arrest warrant against the former governor.

 

But Pinheiro vehemently opposed the application.

 

The senior lawyer argued that for the arrest warrant to be vacated, the former governor must be arraigned and take his plea in compliance with Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

 

Delivering the ruling on Friday, the judge agreed with the argument of the EFCC.

 

He said that the order of court subsisted until it is set aside, even if there is irregularity.

 

The judge said Yahaya Bello’s staying away amounted to disregard to the sanctity of the court.

 

“Therefore, the application by the counsel for the defendant cannot be moved unless the defendant is present in court.

 

“Bello should come to court in his own not through EFCC for arraignment on the next adjourn date,” the judge declared.

 

Meanwhile, shortly after the ruling, Mohammed, who appeared for the former governor, informed the court of a motion on notice filed on May 9.

 

He said the motion prayed the court to stay further hearing of the alleged money laundering suit filed against Bello until the Court of Appeal decides a pending case relating to same matter.

 

The senior lawyer said the anti-graft agency had, by a motion ex-parte, got an order of the Appeal Court stopping the contempt proceedings filed by the ex-governor against the agency at the High Court sitting in Lokoja.

 

He said the appellate court had already fixed May 20 to hear the case.

 

He said it would be important the Federal High Court, Abuja awaits the outcome before going further with the trial.

 

But the EFCC’s lawyer, Oyedepo, disagreed with Mohammed’s submission.

 

In a short ruling, Justice Nwite refused Mohammed’s application.

 

The judge said that the matter had generated controversy all over the world and was unnecessary.

 

Reacting, Mohammed responded that the former governor was not afraid to come to court but was only afraid of his life.

 

Justice Nwite, however, said that Bello should not be misguided but should be advised to come and answer to the alleged charge.

 

“It is just a charge. It has not been proven. Counsel, it is your duty to bring him and you prepare yourselves.

 

“We thank lordship. We will take your admonition to him because that is just his fear,” Mohammed said.

 

He assured that efforts would be made to contact the former govenor to appear in court in the next adjourned date.

 

Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until June 13 for arraignment.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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