PERFORMANCE PRACTICE IN AFROBEAT MUSIC OF FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI

Authors

  • Albert Oikelome University of Lagos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v2i7.155

Keywords:

Performance, Total Theatre, Yabis, Popular music

Abstract

Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the creator of Afrobeat genre was an accomplished performer in every sense of the word. His creative ingenuity was evident in all the musical and extra-musical exertions that went into the production of Afrobeat This paper therefore examines the   performance practices of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. It  further examines the audience participation in  performence process and the importance of the ‘yabis’ used by Fela in communicating his political ideologies. The instrumental ensemble play a significant role in Fela’s performances. It will discuss the ensembles used in afrobeat performences and how it has helped in interpreting Fela’s African Musical ideologies in concrete terms. In collating relevant data for the study, the interview method was adopted by the researcher. This involved collecting information on Fela’s performance from  former members of his band, as well as a critical analysis of  Several videos of his performances. Ultimately, this paper establishes the concept of Fela’s performance as a total theatre, highlighting the effect of music, dance and visual  effects in his performances.

 

Author Biography

  • Albert Oikelome, University of Lagos
    Senior Lecturer, Department of Creative Arts University of Lagos Nigeria

References

Akpabot, S, 1986. Foundation of Nigerian Traditional Music. Ibadan: Spectrum

Books Ltd.

African Dance.2008. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved April 13, 2008, from

Encyclopædia Britannica Online: [http://www.britannica.com/eb.html]

Bowen, Jose ‘Performance Practice versus Performance analysis’: Why should

performers study Performance?

[http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article.html]

Brinson P P, Van Praag, 1963. The Choreographic Art London: Dance Books

Coker, N. 2004. A study of the Music and Social Criticism Of African Musician,

Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. New York: Edwin Mellen Press.

Collins, W. 2002. James Brown. St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture.

Ekpa, A, 2001. Ekpe Music and Dance of the Efik. PhD thesis. Institute of African

Studies. University of Ibadan.

Idowu M.1986. Why black man dey carry shit. Lagos: Opinion Media Ltd.

Kostelanetz, R. "Performance Art." Microsoft® Student 2007 [DVD].

Moore, C, 1982. Fela, Fela-This Bitch of a Life. London: Allison And Busby Press.

Nketia K, 1974. The Music of Africa. Illinois: Northwestern University Press

Nketia K. 1982 Interaction through Music: the Dynamics of Music-making in African

societies”. International Social Science Journal. 34(4): 639-656.

Omojola, B, 1985. Nigerian Art Music. Ibadan: I.F.R.A.

__________ 2006. Popular Music in Nigeria: Theme, Style and Patronage System Ibadan: I.F.R.A

Olaniyan, T, 2004. Arrest the Music! Fela and his Rebel Art and Politics.

Indiana. IndianaUniversity Press.

Olorunyomi S. (2005) Fela and the Imagined Continent Ibadan: I.F.R.A Publications

Oguigbe, E.T. 2003. Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

New York: New Museum of Contemporary Art.

Oyortey, Z, 1983. Still Dancing Downwards and Talking Back.. Dance, Gender and

Culture. Thomas ,E. Ed. London: Macmillan.

Okpewho , I , 2003 “Oral Narrative Performances”. In Okphewho, I. (ed) The Oral

Performance in Africa. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd.

Potgietter, H 2003. Integrating the arts. Musical Arts In Africa.

Hearbst.Ed.University of South Africa: South Africa

Robinson, C 2001. Black Marxism: The Making of the Black radical

Tradition. London: Zed.

Stone, Ruth, 1982. Let the Inside beSsweet: The Interpretation of Music Event among

the Kpelle of Liberia. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Taylor, Charles, 1991. The Ethics of Authenticity. Cambridge, M.A.: Harvard University

Press.

Van Camp, J. C, 1981. Philosophical Problems of Dance Criticism Part II, the

Definition of “Dance”.[ http://www.csulb.edu/~jvancamp/diss2.html.]

Wallach, Jeremy, 2008. Modern Noise, Fluid genres: Popular Music in Indonesia,

-2001. London: University of Wisconsin Press.

Downloads

Published

2013-08-31

Issue

Section

Article

Similar Articles

11-20 of 178

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.