The annual celebration of the ideals and essence of Afrobeat legend, late Fela Kuti tagged Felabration has commenced with veteran musician, Duro Ikujenyo and his Age of Aquarius Band, indigenous hip hop rapper and songwriter, Sodiq Abubakar Yusuf popularly known as CDQ on Wednesday night, among others serenaded the audience at the New Afrika Shrine.
Ikujenyo who is a reputable musician and recording artiste, thrilled the crowd with a rendition of the evergreen FELA’s song, ‘Water No get Enemy’ to the applause of the audience who had come to enjoy good music. The sexagenarian musician who is showing the young generation on how to last doing good music and music business, had performed on Monday at tne Freedom Park, the other venue earmarked to celebrate Felabration 2023.
One thing that Felabration gives to artistes, both old and young is an open platform for them to showcase their creativity in honour of the enigma, Fela Kuti.
One of the highlights on Wednesday night was when Grammy nominee and son of the celebrant, Femi Kuti waltzed unto the stage with his iconic sax and joined Duro Ikujenyo and his Age of Aquarius Band to serenade the expectant audience. Before then, Duro had released a song from his last album, ‘White And Oha Soup’.
CDQ, a crowd favourite was welcomed by the audience as he pulled his top to the rapturous applause of the waiting crowd as he dished out his hot songs, ‘Nowo E soke’, Indomie, Say Baba, Aye and Kogbede. The 38 year old had released ‘Turn by Turn’ featuring D’Banj on May 6, his birthday.
Other artistes that performed at 2023 Felabration at New Afrika Shrine and Freedom Park, include Brymo, the soul diva, Yinka Davies, Gboyega Adelaja, Jojo Bodybeats, Dabyna Son of Rock, the octagenarian Saxophonist and well travelled musician, Prince Eji Oyewole, Mama Afrika singer, Gloria Ibru, Wole Jesutomi, Imole Balogun and Serano and the BS Band to name a few.
In these times, when the spotlight is on Nigeria’s music ambassadors who have popularised the Afrobeats (a quasi music style not same as Fela’s Afrobeat) and many are tasking President Bola Tinubu-led administration to develop the strategies to develop Nigeria’s creative economy, the discourse coming from Felabration Week continues to show why the economy needs to grow beyond this level.
FELA debates, held annually kicked off the Felabration week. This year’s edition had great speakers treat the topic ‘Who no know go know : leveraging on the global rise of our creative economy’ at the NECA Hall, Ikeja, Lagos, which is opposite the iconic Venue, New Afrika Shrine.
With erudite and cerebral speakers and stakeholders in the Nigerian creative space, such as creative entrepreneur and former record label owner, Obi Asika, Thembekile Niklas, Oye Akindeinde, writer and AKE Festival convener, Lola Shoneyin and journalist cum cultural ambassador, Jahman Anikulapo.
