Sandra Izadore and Fela reportedly met in 1969 when he visited Los Angeles and she was also immortalized in Fela’s own Biography “Fela Fela This Bitch of a Life” written by Carlos Moore in 1982, one chapter is dedicated to her.
“Felabration” was initiated by Yeni Kuti, Fela’s eldest daughter in 2008 to honour the memory of her late father. It is said to be week-long musical event in memory of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The celebration takes place during the week of Fela’s birthday.
According to her blog: Sandra Izsadore is a singer composer who during the early 1970’s met and revitalized Africa’s revolutionary genius Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Upon meeting Sandra, Fela’s musical and political ideas changed radically, thus Afro-Beat was born. Sandra is the only featured vocalist on Fela’s music. The song Upside Down, which was a hit in 1977, up to today is considered a classic of Afro-Beat music. It is through her single-handed influence. She has reportedly arrived in Nigeria for the 2015 Felabration – celebration of the great Afro beat singer, which begins on Monday, 12.
According to Nigerian Entertainment Today, she is will deliver a speech on the topic, ‘Human Rights Is My property’ alongside other speakers like Ayo Obe, Kunle Ajibade and Chidi Odinkalu while Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola the former Lagos state governor will be the chairman of the event.
Fela once described her as his teacher, “Sandra gave me the education I wanted to know,” he said. She also worked with Fela on a song titled, ‘Upside Down’ which Fela wrote for her to perform and that was the only song she recorded with Fela.
Sandra Izsadore, Producer Stephen Hendel, Yeni Kuti – Fela’s oldest daughter, and Producer Ruth Hendel during FELA’s Opening in Los Angeles CA.
Entertainers expected to perform at 2015 Felabration include; London Afrobeat Collective, Sandra Izsadore ad Third World and some Nigerian acts like Falz, Olamide, Iyanya, Tekno, Waje, Burna Boy, Kiss Daniel among others.
