© 2024 WFAE
90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A Beginner's Guide To Fela

  When news broke that the musical stage play "Fela!" was scheduled to hit Charlotte (specifically the Belk Theater) February 25 and 26, folks familiar with the Tony-winning production undoubtedly jumped for joy.

Credit Charlotte Arts Journalism Alliance

  The uninitiated, however, probably shrugged in confusion — and that’s mostly because the play (which began life off-Broadway in 2008 and then became a bonafide Broadway production in 2009 thanks to the intervention of co-producers Jay-Z, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and more) and the real-life man it’s based on (Fela Anikulapo Kuti), though highly acclaimed, aren’t exactly household names.

Still, “Fela!” is must-see theater. So, in the name of promoting arts in our community, we at Qcitymetro thought it would be prudent to present answers to a few “Fela!” FAQs, which should help interested folks get up to speed before the touring show comes to town.

Who exactly is Fela?
Fela Kuti was a Nigerian-born vocalist, musician and bandleader responsible for pioneering the musical form known as Afrobeat. He also worked as an activist, committed to fighting against corruption in Nigeria’s government. Eventually he formed his own political party and even (unsuccessfully) ran for president. He advocated for African people to practice traditional forms of religion and culture (such as polygamy); at one point, he simultaneously married 27 women (who he often performed with onstage). He died in 1997 as a result of AIDS-related complications.

What is Afrobeat?
Afrobeat is a musical genre created, in part, by Kuti; it blends together the sounds of jazz, funk and high life music. Tinged with the driving energy of James Brown and traditional African-oriented styles, Afrobeat is renowned for its upbeat rhythms and horn-heavy arrangements. Here’s a look/listen to two of Kuti’s more popular tunes:
http://youtu.be/7bpThXP9f8I

http://youtu.be/IQBC5URoF0s

What’s the state of Kuti’s legacy?

The music and message of Kuti lives on in the form of at least two of his children — sons Seun and Femi Kuti — who have been separately recording Afrobeat music for years. Other Afrobeat bands — such as the Chicago Afrobeat Project and Antibalas (who actually served as the original “pit” band for “Fela!”) — also actively record and release new music, keeping the torch burning for a diverse group of future listeners. On top of that, Kuti’s own records are still in print; his compilation “The Best of the Black President” was re-released in 2010.

http://youtu.be/JesQIJNboNk

For more information about the play or to purchase tickets, visit the Belk Theater’s website.

This article is part of the Charlotte Arts Journalism Alliance, a consortium of local media dedicated to writing about the arts.

QCityMetro.com