Being a Nigerian, I knew Fela, when I was much younger because my mum was a quiet fan of his, buying his videos and music. She could never visit the shrine because though she wanted to and asked many times no one would take her there because "respectable women" didn't visit Fela's shrine. Fela has been dead for years now, but a musical based on his life is on broadway. Continue to read to get a sense of who Fela was....

FELA! His story inspired a nation. His music inspires the world. FELA! tells the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation.

Motivated by his mother, a civil rights champion, he defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity. FELA! is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Fela Kuti’s captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony-Award® winner Bill T. Jones.

Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist Patti LaBelle will join the cast of the hit Award-winning Broadway musical FELA! on Tuesday, September 14, when she takes over the role of Fela’s mother (Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti)!
“I am both thrilled and honored to be joining the cast of Fela! on Broadway. After seeing the show, I was struck by the choreography and work of Bill T. Jones, and the passion and joy that overflows from the stage. Fela’s mother, Funmilayo, was a strong, truly inspiring woman and I am so privileged to be able to pay tribute to her on the Broadway stage,” says Miss LaBelle.

Fela the most critically acclaimed new musical of the season, has received three Tony Awards®: Best Choreography, Best Costume Design for a Musical and Best Sound Design of a Musical!


For more information on Fela, The Musical on Broadway in NYC visit
http://www.felaonbroadway.com/index.php

Enjoy the images below!