Fela: Music Was His Weapon
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2011-09-21/fela-music-was-his-weapon
The legendary Fela Kuti created a unique Afrobeat style, combining traditional African chants and rhythms with jazz, funk, and psychedelic rock. Using his music and lyrics, he challenged the corrupt and repressive military dictatorship that ran his has native Nigeria, and ended up changing his country and the world. We hear about the real life Fela and a new play about his legacy.
Guests
Sarh Ngaujah
actor, Fela!
Howard French
fellow, Open Society Foundation; journalist and former New York Times bureau chief for Central America and the Caribbean, West Africa, Japan and the Koreas, and China in Shanghai; documentary photographer; and author of "A Continent for the Taking: The Tragedy and Hope of Africa"
Comments
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I saw this show in New York, having never heard of Fela. It was an experience I'll never forget. One of your guests talked about the music grabbing him...that's a great description of how I felt. So energized, so alive, so stimulating.