LABAF2019 – JOY OF READING @Kongi’s Harvest
In his paper titled Homage to the Book presented in Ibadan during the annual Authors’ Forum event by the University Press Plc in June 2011, Prof, Niyi Osundare declared that the book is alive.
The book is not dead and that is why at LABAF the Readers’ Parliament with the theme: What’s Reading all About, will bring together writers and book lovers on the importance of reading while paying homage to the written word.
Date: Tuesday, Nov 5, 2019
Time: 6pm
Venue: Kongi’s Harvest Arts Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos
Don’t miss #Labaf2019
Burna Boy, Teni, Nasty C, Others Battle for Best African Act in 2019 MTV EMAs
Nominations have opened for the “2019 MTV Europe Music Awards,” and there are six top contenders for ‘Best African Act’ of 2019.
The African acts being considered this year are BET Award winner, Burna Boy; BET Award nominee, Teni; South African rapper, Nasty C and hitmaker Prince Kaybee; Togo’s duo Toofan and Tanzanian musician, Harmonize. They were all nominated for the Best African Act category.
The “2019 MTV EMAs” will take place at the FIBES, Conference & Exhibition Centre of Seville, Spain, and will broadcast live on MTV base (DStv channel 322 and GOtv channel 72) on Sunday, November 3 at 19:00 WAT.
“We are excited to reveal this year’s incredible group of nominees who are making waves in Africa and around the world,” Alex Okosi, Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) and BET International, commented.
“The Best African Act at the 2019 MTV EMAs has been a powerful platform for elevating African talent and music since its inception,” he further added.
“Voting is now open at mtvema.com until November 2nd at 01:30am CAT, so fans can cast votes beginning today,” a statement from the organisers read.
Felabration@FreedomPark – Bob Marley sang “when music hits you, you feel no pain.”
Come experience rhythmic and lyrical gbas/gbos on one stage as Etuk Ubong, Rex Suru, Seun Olota, Wole Oni thrill you with mellifluous sounds on Thursday October 17th 2019.
Make it a date! #Thisislagos
Who Fela epp?: 5 Nigerian Artistes Inspired by Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Uzoma Ihejirika
Every year, all around the world, the life and works of Nigeria’s foremost musical icon, late Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s are commemorated with music, arts and fanfare at the week ong Felabration festival.
Founded 21 years ago by Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, Felabration presents an opportunity to acknowledge Fela Kuti’s contribution through Afrobeat, the genre of music he pioneered. His jazz-inspired, robust sound continues to spark a creative flame in the hearts of Nigerians—both admirers and detractors— who no matter what cannot ignore Fela, the man and the musical icon.
That creative flame continues to burn in contemporary Nigeria even amongst artistes who were not born or were mere children when Fela became an ancestor. These artistes have made the Afrobeat genre a foundation upon which to speak about their fears, their frustrations, and their joys.
Burna Boy – Ye
The African Giant, Burna Boy, has never hidden his love and admiration for Fela Kuti. Boasting an upbringing rooted in a myriad of musical influences, Burna Boy has always spoken highly of the older singer (his grandfather Benson Idonije was Fela’s first band manager) and it is no surprise why a trip through Burna’s discography would reveal footprints of Abami Eda.
From ‘Soke’ to ‘Another Story’, Burna Boy has channeled Fela Kuti: the charisma, the fearlessness to speak to power while still retaining enough groove for the listener’s body to gyrate to.
But it’s ‘Ye’, Burna Boy’s breakout single in the diaspora, that packs the most punch. The song highlights the average Nigerian’s love for life when protest should suffice. Powered by a stroke of luck, ‘Ye’ has gone on become a fan favourite that even Rihanna jams to.
Oritse Femi – Double Wahala
Prior to 2013, Oritse Femi had a string of hit singles in ‘Flog Politician’ and ‘Mercies of the Lord’ but the man would admit that it was ‘Double Wahala’, his remake of (and dedication to) Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s‘Confusion Break Bone that brought him out from the dark alleys of the underground.
Oritse Femi’s ‘Double Wahala’ is a masterful take on the every-day-ness of the Nigerian life and the hope of every Nigerian that she grows to enjoy an affluent lifestyle.
‘Double Wahala’ earned Oritse Femi two nominations at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards, Video of the Year and Most Popular Song of the Year, winning the latter. He also won the Indigenous Artist of the Year award at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Wizkid – Jaiye Jaiye ft Femi Kuti
Released as the lead single from his sophomore studio album Ayo (2014), ‘Jaiye Jaiye’ had the right dollop of oomph that Wizkid needed to, in Nigerian parlance, ginger his fans who had been clamouring for a project since his 2011 debut Superstar.
‘Jaiye Jaiye’, an upbeat sample of Fela’s ‘Lady’, featured the late singer’s eldest son and Grammy-nominated artiste Femi Kuti who blessed the song with sunny blasts of his saxophone. On the song, Wizkid borrows lines from Fela about a woman’s displeasure at being called Woman instead of Lady.
‘Jaiye Jaiye’ kicked off for Wizkid what would later become a massive surge in his career.
Tiwa Savage – 49-99
What better way to kick start a post-Mavin era in your career than invoking the aura and swagger of Abami Eda?
Newly signed to Universal Music Group, the singer and songwriter Tiwa Savage titled her latest offering 49-99, a reference to “49 sitting, 99 standing” taken from Fela Kuti’s‘Shuffering and Shmiling’.
Tiwa Savage blazes her way through the song, boasting of her endless hustle and how much success she has strived to achieve. And with the confidence she exudes, it is fair to say there’s more to come.
Skales – Temper (Remix) ft Burna Boy
The original version of Skales’ ‘Temper’ was an okay song. It possessed an infectious beat on which the singer layered the ubiquitous Baby let’s have a good time line. A safe yet effective approach after all.
Whatever prompted Skales to tap Burna Boy for the remix deserves a hat tip. Not only did Burna Boy enrich the song, he took control of the wheel and steered the song in a new direction. From romantic to aspirational. He sampled lines from Fela Kuti’s ‘Sorrow, Tears and Blood’. Unlike the original version, the remix became an opportunity for both artistes to reminisce on their humble beginnings and acknowledge how far they have come in their careers.
Whoever asks: “Who Fela don epp?” Say: “A lot.”
