No be small thing o! The king of Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, go sabi light up the Grammy stage even after e don waka go in the other side, as dem go give am posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award. Na over three decades after him smooth exit from dis world, Fela dey get correct recognition from the music world wey don just dey start to sabi wetin we for Africa fit do.
Seun Kuti, wey na Fela pikin, don yarn say this award no be only for their family, but na for all wey love music and band together for social justice through sound. E talk say, “Fela don dey for our heart as long as we sabi music… this na double victory, no be joke.”
Rikki Stein, Fela’s long-time manager, wey don see plenty things, shout say e dey sweet am well… “Better late than never.” He also hint say e don notice how Africa dey rise for international music scene. E believe say more awards for African artists go jolly come true as Afrobeats don scatter everywhere.
This year, no be only Fela wey dey get shine for Grammy, Burna Boy too dey on top the list for Best Global Music Album. But na Fela go carry the first Lifetime Achievement Award as African artist. Na correct big achievement wey go make everybody feel proud!
Fela Kuti na no be ordinary musician. E no just dey play music, him dey carry message for plenty people wey dey face wahala for society. E don speak against military rule and corruption even when dem dey come dey beat am for Nigeria. Remember say in 1977, soldiers run am inside Kalakuta Republic wey be his home, and dem attack him family. But instead of backing down, he scatter am through music!
Di way Fela dey perform dey different – him no just dey play, him dey connect with people. E dey command big band full of more than 20 musicians, and when he dey play, di audience no dey clap; na community dey happen. Music for am no be spectacle, na communion.
As di Grammy people dey gather for Los Angeles, members of Fela family go dey there to carry the award for him behalf. His daughter, Yeni, talk say this award mean plenty for Africa and world peace. She also remember how Fela no fit care about awards, say na respect and love from him people matter pass fame.
When e dey play, dey for album covers wey Lemi Ghariokwu design, no be so many people sabi the depth of Fela’s message. Di award wey him go receive dey show say Fela’s influence don dey grow even after him don waka. E inspire plenty new generation of artists wey dey follow him footsteps. Young ones like Burna Boy and even Idris Elba dey shout am praises.
Fela Kuti’s music dey live, e still dey inspire artists across di world. Na the kind of legacy wey e don leave behind, and still dey push more people to recognize dia roots and responsibility. As Fela wan talk, “Music na life, music na my freedom!” Na so ourselves go continue dey groove.
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