Is Seun Kuti still safe after all he said about Buhari here? (Video)
– As we mark 19 years since the passing of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, close observations show that he is actually still with us
– The Afro beat legend might have left to the other world but his son Seun Kuti continues to drive his ideologies
– The younger Kuti is branded controversial in many circles today but he continues unwaveringly
– The 33-year-old has led protests and in recent times called out President Buhari, the Ooni of Ife and others
– We hope he remains safe as all of these could portend dangers for the vocal entertainer given the political clime in Nigeria
The story of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is inspirational on several levels and it is worth sharing in this day and age, as well as for posterity given the gemstones therein.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016, made it exactly 19 years since the curtain closed for the man, but he will never be forgotten.
On August 2, 1997, the multi-instrumentalist, musician, human rights activist and Afro beat legend passed on at the age of 58 in Lagos and attracted far more buzz than hardly any other African entertainer has garnered in recent times.
NAIJ.com unique article on Seun Kuti, a rare breed of activism in entertainment
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Fela was and remains a titan as far as African music is concerned and he’s earned his stripes for several first-rate deliveries in Nigeria and around the world.
We love his success story. He dared to swim upstream more often than not, even when it meant putting his life on the line. He will never be forgotten in world music history.
But while he is no more, another of his flesh and blood has risen and the exact same DNA is in him.
Though termed controversial, Seun has continued in unwavering pursuit of people-oriented beliefs and ideologies, all of which he has put out in his music and interviews. He has basically same MO as his late father, Fela.
The bulk of this is of course an anti-government campaign and a “vitriol” of sorts against the elitist circles in society, all of which makes his brand of music easily unfavourably received in many parts of the motherland. But he continues to fuel his engine and thrive in his father’s path of political consciousness and social ethos.
Born Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, he started developing his knack for music following his exposure to the art as a teenager who performed frequently alongside his father.
As he grew in the craft, he spread his tentacles some more into politically influenced and conscious music, an act that doesn’t come as a surprise given an apple never falls far from the tree.
Since 1997 when Fela died, then only 14 years, Seun has been in the vanguard of what is best described as a renaissance of the legendary Afrobeat music typical of the late icon and human rights activist.
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Now 33, he continues in this off the beaten track which is widely considered political and perceived as seemingly risky, to say the least.
Seun never fails to speak his mind on issues regarding how much the government of the day has fared.
In several interviews, he has been vocal about key issues. His ability to stand up to the powers that be in his interviews, where other musicians won’t dare address the real issues, helps put his name indelibly in history books.
He has been of outstanding relevance in the growth and development of African sounds using Afrobeats and discussing sociopolitical subjects. But often, heroes of this kind are plucked in their prime which is what gives many cause for worry given the level of politically-motivated killings in the nation.
But Seun looks unwaveringly prepared, put a camera in front of him and he is ready to tell you any day how much he is unimpressed by whatever it is he feels isn’t good enough for the people.
On his path, Fela was unmatched in terms of standing for the people. Given how much he gave, how much he achieved and how much he’s influenced others as a result, generations after this will stand in awe upon seeing and reading about his works.
Fela is that remarkable. His success story is pristine and true.
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Musically, Seun isn’t on the level of his father but we can’t deny he is another key name today in Nigerian and African music.
NAIJ.com unique article on Seun Kuti, a rare breed of activism in entertainment
His style of music continues in helping notch up the quality of Nigerian sounds especially for the international, non-African consumers who have a thing for our history.
And although criticized in many circles for perceived stubbornness, Seun’s artistry is not one to trifle with.
Armed with a decent knowledge of history and an unfettered mastery of conscious music, his craft continues to influence millions.
In 2012, he joined many others as they led a protest against the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria.
In 2016, he has spoken twice to Sahara TV on his perceptions of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ooni of Ife, poverty in the land and widespread corruption among other things.
He is always vocal, way more vocal than his elder brother Femi who also thrives in the conscious music terrain although more conserved.
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For all he’s done thus far, it’s clear the young Anikulapo Kuti will stop at nothing to make his voice heard as he pushes agendas he believes are more people-friendly. For this, he doesn’t look like he’ll be getting any favours from corporate elites in the nation any time soon, but he appears totally unfazed.
He is not oblivious to this fact but he remains unfazed. Hopefully, it ends at that – which is that he remains alive and safe despite being a formidable recalcitrant.
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