Yeni Kuti – eldest child of Fela Anikuapo-Kuti, is the brain behind “Felabration” and the event is held every year in honour of the Afrobeat creator and international music icon. The event holds yearly during the week of Fela’s birthday. Felabration is a celebration of the life and times of the Afrobeat legend and it chronicles the ideals and everything he lived for.
This year’s celebration will hold from October 12th and October 18th 2015 is expected to parade top Nigerian acts including names such like Davido, Wizkid, Femi Kuti and a host of others.
With the theme, ‘Just Like That’, this year’s edition officially kicked off with a debate for secondary schools on Tuesday, October 6 at Freedom Park, Lagos Island. Public and private schools alike slugged it out as they debated the topic, ‘Poverty Is Not An Accident’, a quote made famous by the late Nelson Mandela.
According to the organisers, the annual international music festival will parade a variety of music stars both within the country and the international community. Notable acts slated to perform includes: Third World (An international reggae group) and the Newen Afrobeat Band from Chile. According to organizers, the event may likely feature a performance from Lauren Hill.
Artists to perform also include: Simi, Praiz, Peppenazi, Sossi, Teeblaq, Adol, Chinko Ekun, Danagog, Kemi Katz, Yun K, Emmerson, Prince Banton, Bolaji Da Boy. Dolu, Ketchup, Henry Knight, Minjin, Xplosion, Jaiye Keyartist, Little Doctor, Ceaser, Spydaman, Mr Smith Lib Money, Nassa Boy, Muri Thunder, Buzzor Dils, Magneto, Oresco, Jixxle, B Red, Shina Rambo, Shadow D Don, D Truce, Scalar, Dj Chascolee, Dj Dagaz, B&G Dance Group, T Heart, Bammy K.
The NECA building which is at the Central Business District in Alausa, Lagos will host the annual Fela Debates symposium. The topic for this year – ‘Human Rights Is My Property’ will be moderated by the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola.
Also speaking will be American national and ex-girlfriend, Sandra Izsadore, who was instrumental to redirecting Fela’s music perception from American styled Jazz to the Rhythms of Africa – Afrobeat. Other speakers include Prof Chidi Odinkalu of the Nigeria Human Rights Commission; Mr. Kunle Ajibade – journalist; and renowned human rights activist – Mrs. Ayo Obe.
Fela with legendary friend at the African Shrine – Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso
Biography
Fela was born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria into a middle-class family. His mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a feminist activist in the anti-colonial movement and his father, Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, a Protestant minister and school principal, was the first president of the Nigerian Union of Teachers. His brothers, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti and Olikoye Ransome-Kuti both medical doctors, are well known in Nigeria.
