August 2 this year marked 20 years since Nigerian music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s died.
That year, the world watched as almost a million people trekked with his remains from Tafawa Balewa Square to his final rest place at Kalakuta.
The sting of death struck just at the peak of his popularity but his legacy and social movement has been celebrated since then.
At the age of 58, Fela Kuti had been arrested 200 times, contested for presidency and had married 27 women.
Fela was more, a jazz-trained musician of privileged origins who used his music to join people of different classes of life and as other news outlets describe, “he used music to threaten men with guns”.
His songs preached against corruption and societal ills in Nigeria and Africa.
The world has been mourning the legendary Nigerian musician by posting their tributes on social media.
Here are some of them:
20years since the passing of our father(Fela)we miss him so much esp in this trying times. Incredible how relevant his songs/msg still are.
— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) August 2, 2017
Its been 20yrs since Fela's demise but his legacy lives on. Your courage remains unmatched. #Felabration pic.twitter.com/WMo8AwQBuu
— Temi (@Temiloluwa_07) August 2, 2017
Fêla Anikulapo Kuti, Abani Eda.
We remember you today. #Felabration— Adé Wálé (@ahmuraina) August 2, 2017
Every year, there is the popular Felabration festival held in his honour in Nigeria and this year will be its 20th edition under the theme: The Prophecy.
According to Yeni Kuti, daughter of Fela, no fewer than 250,000 guests will grace this year’s festival.
The festival will run for one week, beginning from Monday, Oct. 9 till Sunday, Oct. 15, which is Fela’s birthday.
Among other activities, the celebration will also include Senior Secondary School’s Debate, Symposium, Dance competition, Artwork competition and the 7 days Musical Concerts which has every artistes display various creativity and talents at the New Afrika Shrine, Ikeja.
Organizers also say there are talks with a number of international stars including Sauti Sol, and Wyclef Jean.
A tourist package is also being set up to enable visitors experience the life of Fela in its totality, and benefit the local economy.
The concert will be broadcast on television channels across 160 countries across Africa and beyond.
