This year’s edition of Fela’s memorial concert; Felabration ended in the wee hours of yesterday, treating music fans and admirers of the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti to a series of dramatic performances that somewhat rekindled the great memories of the Afrobeat precursor.
Sunday night was the peak of the week-long music show that saw almost every known musician in Nigeria struggling for a slot on the stage, just to perform for free. Headliners for the last show were son of the music legend, Femi Kuti and visiting artiste, Ky-Mani Marley, son of late Reggae icon, Bob Marley, but Femi, could only do three songs, giving rooms for Ky-Mani and the huge line-up of volunteered singers to perform.
Like a One Million Man Match, the crowd thronged the New Afrika Shrine, Agidingbi, Lagos, as though they were establishing one of Fela’s best known songs-Movement of the People (MOP), which incidentally was also the name of the political party formed in 1979. The crowd was unprecedented, but perhaps the greater surprise, was the security and crowd control, which did not leave room for pandemonium of any kind.
The show could be said to be bigger than last year’s edition, further establishing the respect Nigerian artiste had for Fela, his music and philosophy. In spite of the increased sitting capacity, the Shrine could still not contain the crowd, throwing the entire environ into a street party. The presence of security agencies including the police, Civil Defense Corps, and men of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) enhanced the show’s credibility, and all that the regular orange dress-top ‘bouncers’ called ‘Shrine Police’ had to do, was to concern themselves with the orderliness within.
It was amazing that by 4am on Monday, people were still queuing up to enter to enter the venue. One of the notable performances at the show was one by Burna Boy, who took of his dress, mimicking Fela’s act in his under pants. His show gave rise to murmur among the crowd, most of who felt that Fela, during his lifetime, never really performed in underwear. Worried that Burna Boy, who had closed the show, was the grandson of Benson Idonijie; Fela’s first manager, critics say he should know better. Fela was described as one of the best dresser, who rocked the stage with embroidered attire. The legend was said to be in pants during some of his private times. He was said to go topless only on Saturday night shows called the ‘Comprehensive Night’, where he also painted his face same days, for his traditional devotion.
The show also featured prominent artistes including Fuji music exponent, King Wasiu Marshal (KWAM1), Afrojuju crooner, Sir Shina Peters and female rapper, Weird MC. Others were Tuface Idibia, M.I, Wizkid and Terry G.
