Fela: Life and Times of an AfricanMusician, political critic, and hedonist, international superstar Fela Anikulapo-Kuti created a sensation throughout his career. In his own country of Nigeria he was simultaneously adulated and loathed, often by the same people at the same time. His outspoken political views and advocacy of marijuana smoking and sexual promiscuity offended many, even as his musical brilliance enthralled them. In his creation of afrobeat, he melded African traditions with African American and Afro-Caribbean influences to revolutionize world music. Although harassed, beaten, and jailed by Nigerian authorities, he continued his outspoken and derisive criticism of political corruption at home and economic exploitation from abroad. A volatile mixture of personal characteristics -- charisma, musical talent, maverick lifestyle, populist ideology, and persistence in the face of persecution -- made him a legend throughout Africa and the world. Celebrated during the 1970s as a musical innovator and spokesman for the continent's oppressed masses, he enjoyed worldwide celebrity during the 1980s and was recognized in the 1990s as a major pioneer and elder statesman of African music. By the time of his death in 1997 from AIDS-related complications, Fela had become something of a Nigerian institution. In Africa, the idea of transnational alliance, once thought to be outmoded, has gained new currency. In African America, during a period of increasing social conservatism and ethnic polarization, Africa has re-emerged as a symbol of cultural affirmation. At such an historical moment, Fela's music offers a perspective on race, class, and nation on both sides of the Atlantic. As Professor Veal demonstrates, over three decades Fela synthesized a unique musical language while also clearing -- if only temporarily -- a space for popular political dissent and a type of counter-cultural expression rarely seen in West Africa. In the midst of political turmoil in Africa, as well as renewal of pro-African cultural nationalism throughout the diaspora, Fela's political music functions as a post-colonial art form that uses cross-cultural exchange to voice a unique and powerful African essentialism. |
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Fela the life & times of an African musical icon
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictFela was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 1938 into an upper-middle-class family whose members included several well-known educators and religious figures. In 1958, he was sent to London's Trinity ... Read full review
Fela the life & times of an African musical icon
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictFela was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 1938 into an upper-middle-class family whose members included several well-known educators and religious figures. In 1958, he was sent to London's Trinity ... Read full review
Contents
1 | |
21 | |
Gentleman 19581970 | 39 |
African Message 19701974 | 77 |
The Black President 19741979 | 121 |
A Serious Cultural Episode 19791992 | 167 |
Fear Not for Man 19851997 | 221 |
Conclusion Look and Laugh | 241 |
Koola Lobitos Nigeria 70 Afrika 70 and Egypt 80 Personnel | 261 |
Notes | 263 |
283 | |
Discography | 295 |
301 | |
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activities African African music African-American Afrika 70 afrobeat American arrangements artists attempt audience authorities band became become began Brown called career CHORUS close colonial communal complex concert Contains continued corruption critical cultural Daily dance despite drum early economic European example experience fact Fela quoted Fela's hand highlife horn important influence James jazz Kalakuta Lagos largely late later leaders live major military mother musicians never Nigeria noted offered organization original performance period play police political popular President Ransome-Kuti recording reflected released result rhythm role seemed sense Shrine singing social society soldiers songs soul sound stage style thing throughout took tour traditional West West African Western women Yoruba