Finding Fela Review
Finding Fela Review 3/16/15
4.5/5 stars
I recently watched a fascinating documentary called “Finding Fela” directed by Alex Gibney. The documentary chronicles the life of a Nigerian Afro-beat legend, Fela Kuti, as well as documenting the making of “Fela” (the Broadway play produced by Will Smith and Jay Z). For those who don’t know, Fela Kuti was the biggest Nigerian musician ever, and the most recognizable figure for the Afro-beat music genre. Nigeria went through a Civil war, from 1967-1970, and that’s when Kuti used his music as his weapon. As a result, Fela was arrested over 20 times, was beaten several times, and even had his house burnt down, all for talking about social injustice in Nigeria.
The film also talks about the making of the Fela musical, and interviews Paul McCartney and Questlove from the Roots. The film follows his odyssey from African pride militant to African spirituality guru; it also shows his evolution, from a Nigerian revolutionary icon to an international superstar, until his untimely death in 1997. Fela is recognized as the second biggest African icon after Nelson Mandela, and he was as political and revolutionary as his contemporary, Bob Marley. Although he has been sampled by hip hop artists, such as J-Cole, Missy Eliot and Mos Def, he is still a virtual unknown in today’s pop culture. He’s never even been mentioned during black history month either; make sure to check it out. Not only for Fela Kuti’s remarkable life story, but also for his great music.