The King of Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo Kuti died on August 2nd, 1997. Whichever angle you want to view it from, Fela is a great man. I chose the present tense ‘is’ in describing him because 16 years after his demise, he still lives in the hearts of millions of people; his music still inspires scores of entertainers across the world.
Deprivation and oppression were often mentioned in his songs. These ills are still visible in our present day society. Fela sang about unavailability of potable water, food, electricity, housing and adequate transportation for the populace. For example, one of his lyrics says, “there is water everywhere: water in the sky, water underground, water over ground… but no water for the common man to drink.” He added that the United Nations promised to provide potable water for third world countries in 1990. But this is 2013, and I doubt if that vision has been achieved.
In another song, he said, “I no go gree make my brother hungry/homeless make I no talk/help.” As regards transportation, he said, “every day my people dey inside bus; suffering and smiling- 49 sitting, 99 standing…” And in the Lagos of today, even aboard state-of-the-art buses, you will still find people standing.
Our Nigerian government should rise to the occasion and make potable water, food, electricity, housing and adequate transportation available and accessible for the teeming population.
Fela is a legend. Even in death he is the primus inter pares in the league of Nigerian musicians. His great works will not be forgotten anytime soon. All hail the King of Afrobeat! May his soul rest in peace.
Charles Okoh is a writer and compere. He’s the author of a fast selling book titled Ideas are Money, and tweets via @greatcharles
