Fela: Life And Times Of An African Musical Icon

by Michael E. Veal

Musician, political critic, and hedonist, international superstar Fela Anikulapo-Kuti created a sensation throughout his career. In his own country of Nigeria, he was simultaneously adulated and loathed, often by the same people at the same time. His outspoken political views and advocacy of marijuana smoking and sexual promiscuity offended many, even as his musical brilliance enthralled them. In his creation of afrobeat, he melded African traditions with African-American and Afro-Caribbean influences to revolutionize world music. Although harassed, beaten, and jailed by Nigerian authorities, he continued his outspoken and derisive criticism of political corruption at home and economic exploitation from abroad. A volatile mixture of personal characteristics charisma, musical talent, maverick lifestyle, populist ideology, and persistence in the face of persecution made him a legend throughout Africa and the world. Celebrated during the 1970's as a musical innovator and spokesman for the continent's oppressed masses, he enjoyed worldwide celebrity during the 1980's and was recognized in the 1990's as a major pioneer and elder statesman of African music. By the time of his death in 1997 from AIDS-related complications, Fela had become something of a Nigerian institution. In Africa, the idea of transnational alliance, once thought to be outmoded, has gained new currency. In African-America, during a period of increasing social conservatism and ethnic polarization, Africa has re-emerged as a symbol of cultural affirmation. At such a historical moment, Fela's music offers a perspective on race, class, and nation on both sides of the Atlantic. As Professor Veal demonstrates, over three decades Fela synthesized a unique musical language while also clearing if only temporarily a space for popular political dissent and a type of counter-cultural expression rarely seen in West Africa. In the midst of political turmoil in Africa, as well as renewal of pro-African cultural nationalism throughout the diaspora, Fela's political music functions as a post-colonial art form that uses cross-cultural exchange to voice a unique and powerful African essentialism. Author note: Michael E. Veal is Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology at Yale University. In addition to being thoroughly grounded in the literature on Nigeria, African music, and the world music scene, he played as a guest saxophonist with Fela and his band Egypt 80, and has conducted interviews with Fela himself, and with his colleagues and other Nigerian musicians.

Genres: Music, Africa, Biography, Nonfiction, History, Jazz, Nigeria

313 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2000

Reviews

[James Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about a giant figure in music history. It isn't very often that a single musician's work defines an entire genre of music, but it is easily arguable that Fela's defines Afrobeat - he invented the term, and every Afrobeat group since then has paid deep tribute to Fela. A very complex person, Fela should be remembered as a true musical visionary.

[Lawal Salami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indeed the life and times of a musical icon. Veal was able to knead the complex life of Fela into a dish that could provoke both love and spite for the man—Fela. However, one consensus would be that Fela was a stubborn man that stood as a dissenting voice against the colonial ideologies, social misforms and kleptocratic regimes that plagued Nigeria. An amazing book.

[Josephine J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read...
My knowledge of her was almost nil, before this memoir (even though I am a great fan of Fela's), which is why I was so keen to read this. This was an enlightening look at some backstories of his family life.👍🏽

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fela is a legendary man from Nigeria! He created his own genre of music, Afrobeat, which is a combination of Yoruban, jazz and funk. He's one of the best I've ever heard. He was also an anarchist and social deviant who was the most political person to voice his opinions about the government, colonialism, comparisons to Western way of life, and his belefs about women, ganja, etc. I recommend everyone to listen to his music and learn about him.

[Sharan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meticulously researched, thoughtful in its approach...Veal is keenly attentive to and obviously appreciative of his subject. You'll understand, if you didn't before reading this book, why Fela is such a giant in modern African consciousness. A very absorbing read!

[Doug Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent account of Fela's life but more turgid sociology (Fela as symbol) than biography.