When an artiste live and revolve his life around music, when an artiste tackle life issues that involves his fans and solves them with it and the same time makes them happy controversially.. He would be remembered for years. Fela is that Legend Nigerians will never forget.
Fela achieved so much with his Afrobeats sound that the world paid attention with several awards and recognitions all over the world, even after death Fela is still very much alive and relevant to the African Music.
Now the title of this article might sound cliche to some set of fans, but it is what it is. Times and times again old school and the new school music stars have showed it to the world that if you add some Fela to your music, It will BLOW not only in Africa but possibly the world. Nothing is sure, but its almost certain that it would BANG.
Fela the originator of Afrobeats created it from the inspiration he got from Afrobeat. Now my friend, don’t be confused. You heard me right. Afrobeat is different from Afrobeats.
Afrobeat which consists of sounds like congas, drums, percussion, guitars, saxophone, rhythms and others, originated from Ghana, but Afrobeats is the infusion of all these sounds in Afrobeat with some shekere, tambourine, funk, jazz, soul and so on..
Now, let me tell why you have to sprinkle some Fela into your music.
First, Fela sound has become globally infectious that all the biggest stars from Beyonce, Jay Z, Drake, Akon etc have all sampled this sounds in their albums and not only was it sampled without effect, it blew UP their album.
Drake with “One Dance”, Wyclef with a song titled “Fela Kuti “.. Nas with “warrior song”..and so on. My brother when you are doing that Afro jam you want us to feel and dance to, tell the producer to add Fela into it. Add some congas, shekere is a must for Afro it needs no telling, the sax, the funk, let Fela be infused in it, it will blow UP. Works everytime.
Secondly, Nigerians can’t resist the Fela sound, believe it or yes. Your favourite stars from Wizkid, Davido, Burna boy, Oritshe Femi knows this well.
Guy, have you also noticed that all the biggest hits from Africa for a decade now has been infused with the Fela sound? From Wizkids evergreen song titled Ojuelegba, to Davido’s greatest hit titled Fall, to Dbanj UK and Europe massive Hit Oliver Twist, even to most Burna boys hit (Ye, Low, Anybody, Soke, African Giant etc).. Etc.
Just go ahead and infuse Fela if you plan to sink your Afro jam into the souls of Nigerian music fans..
As much as I advise Artiste to be creative and search deep their soul to make songs that would last and do greatness for years, I’m also an advocate that artiste especially the upcoming ones open their eyes, adopt what has been tested and trusted on their journey to music success. Fela has been tested and trusted.
Not to forget the new school cats in the Music Industry now, they also are just pouring the Fela into their music to make it.
Rema is one example to look at, introducing himself with an EP dominated with Dumebi and Iron Man. The Fela sound is ever evident.
Dear artiste, sprinkle Fela into the song.. It will BLOW up, if it doesn’t, oh well 🤷🏾🤷🏾
I am Daniel Scott Eleh, I Run Raymist management company and it’s been a pleasure having you. Feel free to like, share and drop your comments below.. Follow on Instagram and Twitter @_daniellscott @RaymistMgtCompany Thank you!