UVA applauds the talents of our contemporary stars, but their achievements belong to cultural entertainment, whereas Fela’s legacy belongs to human liberation. There is no basis for comparison. We honor the current generation for their success, but we must venerate Fela for his sacrifice
The global stage that Nigeria’s contemporary artists occupy today did not appear by chance; it was paved with the blood, sweat and defiance of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Fela did not compose for the charts; he composed for humanity. He endured systematic torture, the burning of his home and the tragic loss of his mother to ensure the African voice could never be silenced by tyranny. Every contemporary artist from Nigeria standing on a global stage today does so because Fela shattered the barriers of cultural inferiority and state intimidation decades ago. He transformed the Nigerian identity from colonial subjugation into unapologetic resistance.
There is a profound, non-negotiable distinction between Fela’s Afrobeat and the contemporary Afrobeats.
- Afrobeat (The Weapon): Fela conceived his music as a conscious tool for the emancipation of the oppressed, a “weapon of the future” designed to dismantle corruption.
- Afrobeats (The Brand): Today’s artists have appropriated the rhythm, rebranded it for global markets. While this has brought unprecedented wealth, it has largely been stripped of the “conscious” soul that defined the original movement.
To compare the two is to ignore the cost of the struggle. It is inappropriate to equate the benefit of commercial success with the burden of revolutionary sacrifice.
Our Position
UVA applauds the talents of our contemporary stars, but their achievements belong to cultural entertainment, whereas Fela’s legacy belongs to human liberation. There is no basis for comparison. We honor the current generation for their success, but we must venerate Fela for his sacrifice.
The Call to Action
- Respect the Distinction: We urge people to recognize that while today’s Afrobeats brings global pride, Fela’s Afrobeat remains a sacred movement for justice.
- Support Conscious Artistry: We urge artists to move beyond appropriation and embrace the “soul” of the sound by amplifying the voices of the oppressed.
- Educate the Next Generation: We call on the youth to study Fela’s political philosophy; understanding the “why” is essential to our authenticity and identity
- Prioritize Justice Over Awards: Let us value those who speak truth to power as much as those who top the charts.
“The struggle is the soul of the music. Without it, it is merely a sound.”
Signed
Executive Producer,
Unchained Vibes Africa