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E-TRENDS
‘Fela My Friend’ Offers Intimate View of the Afrobeat Legend Stories by Vanessa Obioha
Fela Anikulapo Kuti needs no introduction. He is a musical icon whose first name resonates well with activists, music and art lovers around the world. So far, the history of Fela has been rendered in different forms (films and books) by itinerant storytellers.The existing vast body of works centering on his lifetime however did not deter Brazilian filmmaker, Joel Zito Araújo from embarking on a quest to elaborate certain aspects that are not often portrayed in mainstream media in his documentary film‘My Friend Fela’. The film opened for the first time in Nigeria at this year’s Light Camera Africa Film Festival, a three-day film festival that highlights Africans and African stories in independent films. It was strategically placed as the closing documentary piece of the festival’s run. For director Araújo, the film aims to counter the mainstream portrayal of the Afrobeat legend as an eccentric African pop idol of the ghetto, he wanted to unveil the human behind the thin veil that separates him from the rest of the world when all the cameras are turned off. As expected of a typical Fela documentary, this one opens with one of his tracks, ‘Why Black Man Dey Suffer’where he addresses the socioeconomic woes of the Nigerian people. The soundtrack is accompanied with flush, bold lyrics over bright yellow background.The track’s up-tempo texture hits the audience with a sharp sombre taste that reminds them how far they have come along as an independent nation. Albeit kicking off with a focus on Fela, the film turns its pages to explain
A scene from Zee World ‘Married Again’
the work of activism spearheaded by other prominent black people. It explores campaign for racial equality by the Black Panther Party, Malcolm X, Nina Simone, Kwame Nkrumah, Maya Angelou etc. This showcase effectively profiles Fela in a light that reflects his work of activism through his music, eventually. ‘My friend Fela’ evokes a visceral feeling being that it not only reintroduces Fela to the audience, but also helps them see through the eyes of those most close to him by harnessing their versions of events. It is a plot knitted through their individual experiences with Fela. Enter Carlos Moore, a writer whose written works focus on issues on racism and pan-Africanism. He met with Fela in 1974, and quickly, the pair found a common ground in the oppressive government in their individual countries. Moore also published an authorized biography of Fela, ‘Fela: This Bitch of a Life’. Knowing how close they were, Araújo worked with Moore to glean
narratives. Another thing the film reveals is his evolution in music. It is easy to assume that Fela started out as an activist; the film counters this putative fact. His initial musical style was one that shied away from activism. It was until he met Iszadore Sandra, another musician, that his music took form as what we have come to know today. “He said he sang about his suits” Iszadore smirked, recounting her first meeting with him.Apparently, she said Fela was disappointed in the black man, that he wasn’t proud of his people. Their friendship blossomed at a time when the Black Panther Party was in its nascent years, and the fight for racial equality between blacks and whites was a hot debate inUSpolitics.Iszadorelaterinfluenced Fela,and this influence imparted activism into his music. Also, the film demonstrated how many aspects to Fela started changing. Known for taking a cocktail of Coca-Cola, Fanta,Sprite and pineapple juice,Fela embraces a new lifestyle of smoking to the shock of most of his friends. Despite being polygamous,Iszadore reveals that she fell in love with him andlefttobewithhiminNigeria.New to polygamy,she admitted she hoped that she would be treated in a manner she wanted that entails private conjugal meetings, but that was farfetched in Kalakuta. She left after staying for 10 years. The documentary also brings into account the international success Fela enjoyed with his ‘Zombie’ album in 1976; the first Kalakuta attack by ‘unknown’ soldier that culminated in his mother, Funmilayo Kuti being thrown out from a window; and the second Kalakuta attacks in 1981.
Show-Stopping Performances at NickFest 2019 From Patoranking to Fireboy, the 2019 edition of NickFest was a memorable event for children and parents who thronged the venue Balmoral Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, last weekend. Headlined by Patoranking, Teni the entertainer, Fireboy and Rema had the performing acts take their slots on the Nickelodeon stage to thrill the excited crowd. It was indeed a night of glitz, glamour, great music and slime. Their exhilarating performances set the venue in a delightful mood which
had kids, parents and other music lovers present engage in a sing-along. The venue was transformed into a beautifully lit wonderland with a relaxing ambience created by the Nickelodeon traditional bright orange colour. The excitement continued as children in attendance witnessed the arrival of their favourite Nickelodeon characters live at the festival; SpongeBob Squarepants, Adventure Bay’s intrepid pups, Skye, Rubble Marshall and Chase from Paw Patrol, and everyone’s favourite
genies, Shimmer and Shine and the for the first time ever performing in Nigeria, The Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. NickFest host of the day, Mannie Essien and Amarachi Uyanne, popularly known as Amarachi Dance kept the mood alive with their spirited delivery. Speaking at the venue of the event, Alex Okosi, ExecutiveVice President and Managing Director VIMN Africa, owners of Nickelodeon, expressed gratitude for the high attendance recorded this year.
BB NAIJA UPDATE WITH VANESSA
The Last Housemates Standing Ȋ Ȃ ȱ ȱ Despite Tacha’s prediction that she will be among the five housemates in the Big Brother Naija season 4 finale, an unexpected disqualification last Friday however ruined her chances of claiming the coveted title of winner of the reality TV show.. Her departure was the climax of the ‘Pepper Dem’ season which had featured interesting housemates. Majority of fans of the TV show were frenzied by her departure, hailing the omnipresent Biggie for taking the right action on social media. Tacha embodied the spiciness that the show projected in this season with her cantankerous character. She was swift to anger and full of verbal missiles to shoot at anyone who crossed her path. She was the first housemate to get into a fight in the house with fellow housemate Thelma over food. Other housemates who have had heated altercation with the disqualified housemate include Seyi, Joe, Mike and Mercy. Tacha also contributed to some of the trending words and phrases in this season. Words such as Tacharistics/Tacharacteristics, formed when host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu asked her to list the qualities of a winner of the show. Her response, a repetition of her name gave birth to that portmanteau. There is also ‘clout chaser’, ‘na dem’, among others. Interestingly, her departure fetched her fame. She is the most talked about housemate of this season. With her eviction, Mike, Mercy, Frodd, Omashola and Seyi are now the last housemates who have survived all the twists and turns of this season. Apart from Diane who left the house on Monday, Elo, Ike and Cindy were evicted during the weekend. One of them will emerge the winner of the show on Sunday, taking home the grand prize worth N60 million. Mercy purchased her immunity with her Bet9ja coins, Frodd emerged in the finals by winning the Ultimate Veto Power, and Seyi sailed through by winning the Head of House title last week. Omashola on the other hand was saved twice by Frodd. First, he was not nomination list last week and during an unlucky draw on Monday night, his name was not picked. Having survived eviction, Mike automatically earned a place in the finale. The campaign for the housemates have begun fervently on social media. Fans of the housemates are relentless in canvassing for votes, putting up memes and witty messages to lure others into voting for their favourite. Mike and Mercy have always had a huge fanbase. However, fans of other housemates have picked up pace, showing that they are great contenders as well. Mercy fans wants her to wear the crown as the first female to win the Big Brother Naija show. Mike’s acolytes are rooting for him because of his admirable maturity as the only married man in the house who wasn’t immoral. Omashola, the Warri street crooner is loved by his votaries for first, his entertaining street slang, followed by his outspokenness, and of course, his looks. Seyi on the other hand has his surname working for him as well as his creative talents which he has generously displayed on the show. The fresh and odd guy Frodd has his devotees cheering for him for his manipulative and intelligent moves. Being the last week of the show, Biggie treated the housemates to some fun. They had a carnival night with some of the housemates of previous seasons, partied with Adekunle Gold and Lipton which saw Mike winning N1 million and an all-expense paid trip to the beautiful island of Mauritius. As voting ends today, Sunday will reveal the lucky housemate to be crowned the winner of the Big Brother Naija season 4.
After Battleground, Odugbemi Brings Brethren Prolific filmmaker Femi Odugbemi latest production ‘Brethren’ will be premiering on Africa Magic on Monday, October 7. The new TV series is coming months after the end of‘Battleground’, a riveting family drama that held viewers spellbound with its twists and turns. Like ‘Battleground’, ‘Brethren’ is filled with intrigues and plots that will keep viewers glued to the screen. Already, the teasers have kicked off a frenzy of some sort among fans of the filmmaker. The trailer reveals a
search for a kidnapped child by the authorities which perhaps led to a bloody battle with a cult group. Produced by his company Zuri24 Media,‘Brethren’is a unique mix of family drama, fast-paced action and crime thriller set against a vibrant inner city landscape where the quirks and personality of Lagos resides. Known for his tradition of having a mixed cast, the TV series boasts new faces as well as familiar faces in Nollywood. “The cast is a mix of exciting new
faces and strong dynamic performers who are the top contemporary performers in our industry,” said the filmmaker. “That’s always been our way. Giving opportunity to young and emerging actors is critical to keeping our storytelling fresh and value-driven for our audiences. I believe in our young talents. In front and behind the camera. So my platforms are naturally places of opportunity for me to empower them,” he added.
Housemates partying with Adekunle Gold