The memories of iconic Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti continues to linger among music lovers and aficionados all over the world as this year’s Felabration ended at the weekend amidst pomp and pageantry.
Felabration is the annual music and entertainment concert which started in 2000 and dedicated to the ideals of Fela who died in August 2 1997. The weeklong celebration which was sponsored by another iconic brand 7Up took place mainly inside the African Shrine, Ikeja- Lagos. With many activities within the week like a debate for Senior Secondary Schools titled “Poverty is Not an Accident like Slavery and Apartheid, a Symposium, a drama titled “Fela Son of Kuti”.
Felabration 2015 tagged “Just Like That” started on Monday October 12 and ended on Sunday October 18 and attracted international icons such as: the elegant Seyi Shay; ‘Rainmaker’, Majek Fashek; sonorous Tuface Idibia, ‘Lagos Jam crooners’, Third World; the ‘Chairman’ MI; songstress Sandra Izsadore; Ghetto Soldier, Daddy Showkey; king of Afrobeat, Femi Kuti and London based London Afrobeat.
Others are Yemi Alade, who continued her “search” for ‘Johnny’; Afrobeat Prince, Seun Kuti, dancehall MC, General Pype amongst many other acts that performed at the 7Up sponsored Felabration.
The massive crowd at the shrine could fill up a standard football stadium with many fans outside who couldn’t get in but still remained as they enjoyed ice cold 7Up and also got 7Up branded T-shirts with pictures of Fela on it.
According to the Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr. Norden Thurston ”Fela is an international brand who made a difference in this world with his music and 7Up is an international brand that continues to make a difference in the live and passion of people globally through music, education and sports.”
One of the highlights of the festival was the return of ‘Rainmaker’, Majek Fashek who did not disappoint teeming fans as they screamed with excitement with every tune the legend sang in reminiscence of the musician’s hay days.
Seyi Shay was another standout performer on Sunday with her song “Crazy”, a duet with Wizkid who wasn’t on stage with her but the audience sang along with Seyi from start to finish giving the song a new feel.
Femi Kuti thanked everyone who had a hand in the success story of Felabration, his elder sister Yeni Kuti who is the brainchild of Felabration and Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc who have over the years been supporting Africa’s biggest celebration of any entertainment icon, Felabration.