One of the most influential musicians of our time is about to have his life explored.
Focus Features is looking to adapt Michael Veal's book 'Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon' to the big screen.
The Hollywood Reporter states that Kuti, whose full name is Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, garnered fame in the U.S. for his fusion style of music known as Afrobeat. An outspoken critic of Nigerian government policies, Kuti was often imprisoned on what human-rights groups called trumped-up charges when he returned to his native country. He died in 1997.
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By: DA BEEKA MAN on 1/16/2009 11:43AM
Man, its about time!! How miraculously weird, my favorite track..."Water No Get Enemy," just came on when i viewed this artcle
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By: fish688512 on 1/16/2009 7:35PM
It's great until you find out Don Cheadle is Fela
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By: gemini on 1/20/2009 5:36PM
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ALL I KNOW THEY BETTER DO RIGHT BY HIM I LOVE THIS MAN AND HIS MUSIC, IT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOOOOOOOOOD AND MOVE MY HIPS I LOVE IT , IT SAD ALOT OF PEOPLE DONT KNOW BOUT HIM AND IM AMERICAN AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BABA FOR EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT MAN GREAT MUSIC
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By: lfsouthphi on 1/21/2009 12:14PM
I discovered Fela in 2000. I am very interested in learing more about his life and his music. I look forward to this movie. I plan a trip to FYE to purchase one of CD's today.
Thank You!
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By: Saymama on 7/14/2009 5:34PM
I think it's a great thing that a biopic of the great Fela is being brought to the big screen. It is more than deserved. HOWEVER, I recently found out that the film makers are planning on filming the story of the life of Fela in Kenya or South Africa, instead of his homeland of Lagos, Nigeria, where he lived and died. If they do go through with this, i think it would be a travesty, and insult and a total disservice to everything that Fela was and what he represented. Fela WAS Lagos and would turn in his grave at the very notion of this! It is bad enough that the lead is likely not to be Nigerian and maybe Don Cheadle as fish68 said above. But the story of Fela would be a joke if it is told and filmed anywhere else but in Lagos.
Imagine telling the story of Biggie outside of Brooklyn where he lived and grew up. It would be a joke!
The reason why a movie like Slumdog Millionaire was so successful was the authenticity that it portrayed, which therefore made it very believeable.
If the filmakers are afraid to come to Nigeria and associate themselves with Nigerians in the know that could help them bring this story to life, then they ARE NOT the right people to be telling his story in the first place!
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By: Matabo Jan Letsoalo on 8/06/2009 2:32AM
Fela was one of Africa's greatest artist and activist ever. When listen to Coffin for Head of State and ITT, I realise how great Fela was. It makes me feel good to have lived in the same era with Fela. South Africa appriciate Fela's work.
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