Will Fela Be First African Artist inducted At Rock Hall of Fame?
The legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti, has been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2021. Fela was nominated alongside 15 other artists including rappers Jay-Z and LL Cool J and R&B stars Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, and Dionne Warwick. Fans and supporters of the late musician have been coming out in force, as the Nigerian musician has the most fan votes for his induction (as of February 19, 2021). To be considered eligible, artists must have released their first record at least 25 years ago. If Fela gets inducted, he will be the first African artist to do so. Fela was an outspoken critic of several military regimes in Nigeria and was often arrested. Through his music and human rights activism, Fela campaigned against military rule and corruption in Nigeria. He died on August 2, 1997, at the age of 59.
You can vote for Fela here!
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Nigeria:
Nigerian Icon Fela Is Long Overdue for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Conversation Africa, 12 April 2021
Scrolling through the comments made on YouTube on Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's music, one comes across remarks such as: "The greatest unknown musician who ever lived", "Why isn't Fela's… Read more »
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Nigeria:
Fela Kuti Becomes First African Artist to Get Nod At Rock Hall of Fame
Leadership, 13 February 2021
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame midweek announced its long list of nominees for the class of 2021and it was a surprise that the late Afrobeat legendary artiste, Fela Kuti made the… Read more »
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Nigeria:
Fela Nominated for 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Premium Times, 12 February 2021
Fela was among the seven artistes whose names appeared on the list, alongside Jay-Z, Foo Fighters, and Tina Turner. Read more »
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Nigeria:
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2021 - Fela in Early Lead
Vanguard, 12 February 2021
The Late Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti has taken the early lead among the 16 nominees nominated for the 2021 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Read more »
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Nigeria:
The Quest to Identify Fela's Successor - Why It's Time to End It
The Conversation Africa, 18 February 2021
It's nearly a quarter of a century since Fela Kuti passed away. Yet, the influence of his music and pan-Africanist thoughts hasn't stopped. Fela was notorious for the deployment of… Read more »
InFocus
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Famous for pairing his music with politics and human rights activism, Fela, who died in 1997, stood up against Nigeria's military dictators, often at great personal cost to his ... Read more »
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Throughout his lifetime, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti was very vocal in criticizing the government, highlighting the ills of those in authority and speaking against the political ... Read more »
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"Decades after his death, Fela Kuti, Nigeria's most famous musician continues to live on through his art. Contemporary African pop stars are sampling his work in new ... Read more »
Fela Kuti
