Music world remembers Fela

At Freedom Park in Lagos, Nigeria, Fela’s son, Femi, and artistes including Majek Fashek, Simi, Bryma, Aramide, Praiz and Ghana’s Efya performed in honour of the late saxophonist, singer, arranger and composer who posthumously celebrated his 77th birthday on Thursday, October 15.

Felabration was created by Yeni Anikulapo Kuti in honour of her father and Afro-beat creator in 1998.

In London, the celebration was held at the British Library and a capacity crowd was there to see Tony Allen, Bumi Thomas, Dele Sosimi, 2face Idibia and others enthrall all with classic Fela hits such as Zombie, Water - E No Get Enemy and Lady.

The grand finale was a beautiful rendition by all the artistes of Fela’s popular Shakara song that both moved and invigorated the crowd.

In an apparent reply to people who claim that too much noise was being made about Fela, Nigerian superstar 2face Idibia told the BBC that European classical musicians who died hundreds of years ago were still being celebrated so there was nothing wrong with programmes to uphold Fela’s rich  legacy.