Blip

About this episode

Afrobeat today: Life after Fela Afrobeat is a combination of Yoruba rhythms, free form Jazz and Funk. It originated in Nigeria with Fela Anikulapo Kuti who fused it with pointed social and political messages. Politics are essential to afrobeat, since founder Kuti used social criticism to pave the way for social change. His message can be described as confrontational and controversial, which can be related to the political climate of most of the African countries in the 1960s, many of which were dealing with political injustice and military corruption while recovering from the transition from colonial governments to self-determination. Today Afrobeat has established itself as one of the big music genres of the world and its message of social consciousness is carried on by Fela’s sons, Femi and Seun and by such bands as Antibalas, a Brooklyn based Orchestra whose success continues to pave the way for many Afrobeat bands around the world. The video features concert footage of Antibalas, Fu Arkist-Ra and Seun kuti & Egypt 80 as well as an interview with Antibalas member and Fu-Arkist-Ra founder Duke Amayo and with Seun Kuti. Amayo talks about the origins and the musical elements that make up Afrobeat, the political significance of it then and now and how Afrobeat is gaining in popularity here in the West. He explains his personal connection with this musical style and how he combines it with Kung Fu and Egyptian mythology through his other project “Fu-Arkist-Ra”. Yoruba religion is named as the roots of Afrobeat, lyrics as well as rhythm and this he demonstrates in an a capella song and handclap. Also featured in the segment are legendary NY-based Afrobeat DJ Rich Medina, who talks about how Afrobeat has influenced not only his take on music, but also his political views and son of Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti who’s now playing with his famous father’s band “Egypt 8o”.

• Release Date

  Mar 2, 2009

• Runtime

  08:18