It is heartening to see that Will Smith and Jay-Z think that the Fela Kuti musical is worth shelling out millions of dollars to support. The musical is a tribute to the life of Fela Kuti, a musician who was not afraid to challenge the status quo and call out the corruption he saw in the government.
Sahr Ngaujah (AP Photo/Richard Kornberg and Associates, Monique Carbon)
The musical will include Kuti’s music, and other African, jazz and funk influences. The original version of the play in September 2008 was met with rave reviews. Bill T. Jones will be directing a newer version of the original with Sahr Ngaujah as the lead.
There have been unconfirmed rumblings that Smith and Jay-Z might step in to produce the musical, but nothing firm has been stated. Fela’s life has also been the inspiration of a biopic that is set to premier in 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment