The life, music, and enduring legacy of late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will take centre stage in Lagos this October at a major cultural exhibition themed “Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion.”
Organised by the Whitespace Creative Arts (AWCA) Foundation with support from the French Embassy in Nigeria, the Kuti family, and Ecobank, the 10-week programme will run from October 12 to December 28, offering an immersive cultural journey through archives, music, cinema, talks, workshops, fashion, and youth-focused activities.
France Reaffirms Cultural Ties with Fela’s Legacy
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Mr. Laurent Favier, Consul-General of France, said his country was proud to support such a high-quality tribute.
“France has always been a heartland for Fela Kuti, supporting not only his music but also his activism. In the 1980s, he struck a chord with the times and fascinated the French press, which was the first to talk about the ‘Fela phenomenon.’ These ties continue with his talented family, Femi, Seun, Made, and others.”
Favier explained that the exhibition was first conceived by the Philharmonie de Paris – Cité de la Musique in 2022, drawing over 60,000 visitors in one month. He said the Lagos edition, enriched with more archives and deeper involvement from the Kuti family, promised to be “even more dynamic.”
A Living Season of Culture
Ms. Onoshiokhue Ako, Project Lead and Culture Producer of Afrobeat Rebellion, described the exhibition as more than a showcase.
“Afrobeat Rebellion is a living season of culture. We designed it to bridge generations — from children creating in the Young Rebels’ Corner to elders who remember Fela firsthand. It is about connection, creativity, and continuity.”
She praised the Philharmonie de Paris for pioneering the project and thanked Ecobank for hosting the exhibition.
“To Ecobank, our home for three months, we are grateful. You stand as a true African centre — a symbol of the continent’s cultural and economic ambition.”
Repositioning Fela Beyond the Myths
Curator Seun Alli, founder of June Creative Art Advisory, said the Lagos edition was a deliberate effort to move beyond oversimplified stories often told about Fela — from his song Zombie to the Kalakuta fire and other controversies.
“Curating Afrobeat Rebellion in Lagos is about refusing this flattening. Fela was not just a musician or a rebel. He was a public intellectual whose music and philosophy were deeply connected to Africa’s political and social histories. His work was a soundtrack of revolt and hope.”
Ecobank and Family Speak on Legacy
For Ecobank, the exhibition is more than sponsorship. Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations, said:
“Hosting Afrobeat Rebellion at EPAC is a statement of pride in Africa’s creative power and resilience. Fela’s legacy is Nigerian, it is African, and it belongs to the world.”
Fela’s son, Femi Kuti, also expressed gratitude:
“We are glad that Fela is still recognised, appreciated, and honoured. As the years go by, people continue to understand what he stood for.”
A Legacy That Still Speaks
Nearly three decades after his passing, Fela’s music and message remain alive, a rallying cry against injustice and a beacon of cultural pride. With Afrobeat Rebellion coming home to Lagos, his story will once again inspire new generations to dance, reflect, and rise.
