Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti

by Trevor Schoonmaker

Crowned the king of Afrobeat and dubbed the Black President, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was a master performer, composer and voice of the oppressed. The Nigerian musician and activist invented an infectious new musical genre called Afrobeat, combining American funk and jazz with traditional Yoruba and highlife music to end up with a sound that doubled as a weapon for justice. Troubled by the state of Nigerian society, he assembled and built his Kalakuta Republic and created his own political party, actions which saw him arrested, imprisoned and beaten by the police and military--but Fela was so influential in Nigerian cultural and political life that even they flocked to his funeral to pay respect to their fallen hero. This book features a diverse range of artists who continue to be inspired by Fela's artistic genius and dedication to justice and equality: from visual practitioners like Sanford Biggers, Sokari Douglas Camp, Kendell Geers, Alfredo Jaar, Moshekwa Langa, Olu Oguibe, Yinka Shonibare and Kara Walker to musicians, rappers and DJs. Accompanying essays consider Fela's influence on his musical contemporaries and on an international array of visual artists, Fela as African Blaxploitation hero, and Fela's music in the context of the Nigerian political situation and contemporary activist art. Also included are an updated version of a seminal 1980s article on Fela, a fiction-driven story that reconstructs the last six months of Fela's life, and a poem that deals with Fela's influence on the poet's conception of Africa. Edited by Trevor Schoonmaker.~Essays by Olu Oguibe, Yomi Durotoye, Vivien Goldman, Moyo Okediji and Michael E. Veal. ~Poetry by Sharon Strange. Paperback, 10.5 x 10.5 in./192 pgs / 64 color 40 BW0 duotone 0 ~ Item D20046

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, History

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2003

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Fela Kuti and the many incredible musicians he worked with. I have this book, and it is great, but I really wanted just to put this review in to say everyone should be listening to more Kuti.

If you have not listened to him before - https://youtu.be/Qj5x6pbJMyU (and read the text helpfully put into the video to understand the context)

This is political music of the very highest sort. It also has the added benefit of being funky as all hell. His work is a reminder of the many different formats effective protest can take, and that anger can be expressed and communicated through creativity and collaboration and performance. A white Englishman such as me can, in 2016, listen to what he made and respond to, recognise, take into my worldview, his experience of oppression and violence (which my privilege will mean I never have to face). That never stops astonishing me, and makes me feel a little more hopeful about the potential of our generally shitty species.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a selection of real interesting essays paired with some stunning artworks! i read it for a uni essay i was writing on fela's visuals, so it was the perfect companion and a really great resource for a lot of contextual detail i was missing - but it's readable and engaging enough outside of an academic context, not to mention beautifully presented.

[Jeff]

fela was cool