Independence: Nigerian publisher tours with Fela’s biographer

Fela: This Bitch of a Life was first published in 1982. The new version, published by Cassava Republic, includes remarkable never-before-seen content: a Preface by renowned Brazilian musician and statesman Gilberto Gil, a Prologue by Fela’s friend Lindsay Barrett, an introduction and a moving epilogue by Carlos Moore written specially for this edition and discography. […]

Fela: This Bitch of a Life was first published in 1982. The new version, published by Cassava Republic, includes remarkable never-before-seen content: a Preface by renowned Brazilian musician and statesman Gilberto Gil, a Prologue by Fela’s friend Lindsay Barrett, an introduction and a moving epilogue by Carlos Moore written specially for this edition and discography. It also includes the two part magnificently illustrated Afa Ojo sections, which delve into the mystical aspects of Fela’s character. The cover and artwork for this new version were designed by Lemi Ghariokwu, the original designer of some of Fela’s most iconic album covers. The book is set to become a collector’s item and to take pride of place on bookshelves across the continent.
With Nigeria celebrateing 50 years of Independence, says a release from the publishers, “there is perhaps no better time for a reflection on some of the country’s heroes, social and political history. Fela’s music is guaranteed to outlive us all becoming part of our own classical; it is therefore equally important for future generations (and younger African children today) to have the opportunity to find out more about Fela the man and Fela’s music.”
Cassava Republic’s Publishing Director, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, says “We are very excited to make Carlos Moore’s classic and illuminating biography of Fela Kuti available for the first time on the continent. We also believe that everyone interested in African music and socio-political history will not want to miss the opportunity to own a copy of this particular edition.”
In just under 350 pages, the reader of Fela: This Bitch of a Life is invited to the living room of Fela’s iconoclastic mind, discovering from the inside the key turning points in his life – his childhood in Abeokuta and the forceful influence of his parents, especially his mother; student life in England; his coming to black consciousness in America (and his encounters with Funk and some of the key players in African-American musical and political culture); his return to Nigeria and setting up the Shrine and Kalakuta Republic and his increasingly painful struggles with the authorities in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s. Reading about Fela brings to life post-Independence African history in all its turbulence and drama. The book also includes interviews with some of Fela’s wives, allowing the reader to get an intimate perspective on Fela as a husband and as a lover.
The book, first published 28 years ago, is written in the first person, so reads like an autobiography. The full technicolour honesty of the writing makes it seem like the reader is engaged in a one-to-one conversation with the King of Afro-beat himself.
There is no better time for the re-publication of Fela: This Bitch of a Life – the authorised biography of Africa’s greatest ever musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Sometimes it seems that Fela has never been so popular across the world as he is today. With Fela the Musical (produced by Jay-Z and choreographed by Bill T. Jones) a smash hit on Broadway and Fela the film (starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, who else?) in production, Fela is rapidly becoming a global superstar for the next generation.
Apart from the Mon 11th (at The New Africa Shrine) and Wednesday 13th (lecture at Unilag Faculty of Arts Boardroom) all the tour events will attract an entry fee of N2000, which includes a copy of the book. The other tour dates for Nigeria are: Saturday 9th October, 4pm, book reading with special guests at Centre for Contemporary Arts, 9 McEwen St, Sabo, Lagos; Sunday 10th, at Life House, 33 Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island; and book reading at the French Cultural Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, on the 16th of October.