Fela Kuti two landmark recordings, Zombie and Expensive Shit, dey get special 50th anniversary editions this year. Felabration dey start small early as dem announce say the iconic albums go receive anniversary treatment. Zombie, the landmark album wey its title track serve as sharp attack and critique on Nigerian government and soldiers, and na dem be the zombies inside the story, dey among the works wey dem dey celebrate.
The Zombie 50th anniversary edition go get reimagined packaging and a new T-shirt from American designer Tremaine Emory of Denim Tears. Emory new packaging still pay tribute to Lemi Ghariokwu iconic album art, but e add images of New Afrika Shrine, taken by Bolaji Alonge, to a limited-edition vinyl release wey go drop on October 9. Only 1,000 limited-edition Zombie vinyl copies dem dey print, so if you want yours, you need move fast.
Emory talk say, “It’s an honor to work on this 50th anniversary vinyl release of Zombie, and also some apparel. Fela is one of the most inspiring artists of any genre of art to me that has ever existed. The music and the lyrics are just as apparent today as they were when they were first made, hoping for more people to stand for the things he stood for and his family still stands for.”
The anniversary editions come after Fela induction into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Nigerian legend becoming the first African artist to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from Grammys. The Expensive Shit 50th anniversary edition, wey go available later this year on November 20, na Tarin Karimbux design am. Dem say e go dey pressed on gold nugget vinyl, housed inside trifold jacket wey feature elements of original vinyl packaging alongside newly licensed images from Femi Bankole Osunla and John Collins, a dossier envelope with poster, print, and newspaper clipping, wrapped with metallic gold foil band.
You can pre-order the new editions of Fela Zombie and Expensive Shit now. The limited-edition Zombie vinyl drop on October 9, while Expensive Shit follow on November 20.
