Nigeria Content Online

One of the
highlights of next week’s Felabration is the re-issue of a major book
on the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, written by Carlos Moore. First
published 28 years ago, the 350-page ‘Fela: This Bitch of a Life’ is
touted as “the authorised biography” of the Afrobeat impresario.

It is being
republished locally by Nigerian publisher, Cassava Republic Press. The
publisher says that, with Nigeria’s 50 independence anniversary in the
air, “there is, perhaps, no better time for a reflection on some of the
country’s heroes, social, and political history.

“Fela’s music is
guaranteed to outlive us all, becoming part of our own classical. It
is, therefore, equally important for future generations (and younger
African children today) to have the opportunity to find out more about
Fela the man and Fela’s music.”

Carlos Moore’s book
is coming back on the book shelves at the height of Fela consciousness
all over the world, with the critical and popular success of the Fela!
Musical on Broadway in New York.

The new version of
the book comes with extra features, including a preface by Brazilian
musician and statesman, Gilberto Gil; a prologue by journalist and
writer, Lindsay Barrett; as well as an introduction and epilogue by the
author. Cover art for the new book was done by Lemi Ghariokwu,original
designer of Fela’s iconic albums.

Born in Cuba in
1942, Carlos Moore is a naturalised Jamaican and now lives in Brazil.
An ethnologist and political scientist, he was a personal friend to
Fela.

The book, written
in the first person, as though in Fela’s own voice, is based on a
series of interviews with the Afrobeat legend and, in some cases, his
wives. The book recounts Fela’s growing up in the Ransome-Kuti clan,
his studies in England, and his radicalisation into Black Power
ideology in the United States. The Afrika Shrine, Kalakuta Republic,
and the musician-activist’s struggles with the Nigerian authorities
during the 70s and 80s, are also covered.

Bibi Bakare-Yusuf
of Cassava Republic said the company is excited to be making Moore’s
book available for the first time on the continent. She said the book
is for “everyone interested in African music and socio-political
history.”

‘Fela: This Bitch of a Life’ will be launched at the Centre for
Contemporary Art, 9, McEwen Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, at 4pm on
October 9. Other events around the book are scheduled for next week, as
part of Felabration.