It’s sure starting to feel like a huge afrobeat anniversary ‘round here ! The power and legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938-97) lives on – bigger brighter and stronger than ever and oh how Fela would be smiling right about now. What with his prophecy of a Black President fulfilled; the global family and community even more dynamic and vocal than ever and  FELA soon to be seen and heard on Broadway by the masses, it’s clearly not as ‘upside down’ anymore.

Oke, so it’s not Fela himself as the anti-the shitstem peoples President of Nigeria as he fought his whole life for, and it’s true (for now only) that that his beloved Shrine, forcibly closed by the so-called authorities in ‘97, then successfully reopened by loyal son and daughter Femi and Yeni, has once again been shut down. Here’s the rub though – Fela clearly would respect an active, cultured and dynamic President Obama fighting the fight; and clearly the global community is outraged and fightin back ! see why in this Shrine vibe video below and be sure to sign the outraged petition !

Music is indeed the Weapon and afrobeat is ringing out firey and funky fresh worldwide with powerful new releases by the ongoing legend of Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, and Tony Allen with their summer tours already well in progress. There is ever positive ongoing support from London to Brooklyn, Philly to Tokyo, LA to Bali and beyond from the likes of Damon Albarn to Gilles Peterson, to Jump ‘n Funk’s Rich Medina. Plus where would we be if Lemi Ghariokwu’s inspired and feisty artwork of Fela’s covers was not duly recognized right now in his ‘Art’s Own Kind’ London Exhibition at Rich Mix until July 9th.

Now ‘Everything begin to scatter’ – but in a good way. Be sure to check out Femi’s latest ‘Day by Day’ release and his killer show sure to be in your area – especially if you’re nearby this Sunday June 21’s Hollywood Bowl soiree together with Santogold and Raphael Saadiq and June 25th’s free Celebrate Brooklyn Prospect Park show.

It’s a must to also check for Seun Kuti’s ‘Many Things’ gem of an album and incredible show. I count myself blessed to have seen and even co-promoted numerous Kuti family shows (Fela, Femi & Seun) and am always blown away by the Fela spirit that shines on, down to how he and Femi shake their thang.

Where to start with Tony Allen legendary master drummer and afrobeat co-founder with Fela  - from his solid role in Fela’s Egypt 80 to recent ‘Secret Agent’ release on World Circuit to the Honest Jon’s releases, Africa Express and ‘the Good the Bad & the Queen’ projects with Damon Albarn to ‘Brasilintime’ with Madlib, and Brazil’s masters Ivan Conti, Joao Parahyba to where his re-recogintion began with ‘Psycho on the Bus’ on Comet. Listen here in Tony’s own words as he chats with  Gilles Peterson at Brownswood Rd

and we leave you for now with this wonderful piece that another drum legend Ginger Baker shot of Fela & Afrika 70, incl. Tony Allen in 1971 performing in the rainy southeastern town of Calabar, shortly after the the Nigerian civil war.

and so with a multitude of Fela stories still to be told, please check back for the ongoing reports in this ‘Fela Lives !’ series …..