Fela Kuti: Fear No Man 9: Things Will Collide
Nov 19, 2025
Dotun Ayobade, a professor who provides insightful analysis on Fela Kuti and 1970s Nigeria, joins Laide Kuti, Fela's former partner, to discuss the harrowing 1977 raid on the Kalakuta Republic. They delve into the political turmoil following the military's crackdown on Fela's activism, describing brutal acts of violence and humiliation witnessed firsthand. Laide shares her chilling experience during the raid, while Dotun explains how Fela's defiance through music intensified the military's wrath, marking a significant turning point in Nigeria's history.
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Young Photographer At Festac 77
- Marilyn Nance traveled to Festac 77 as a young photographer after a single photo of her grandmother was selected for an exhibit.
- She photographed luminaries like Stevie Wonder and experienced the festival's joy of global Black cultural exchange.
Festac As Nigeria's Cultural Coming Out
- Festac 77 aimed to unify African culture and signal Nigeria's rise on the world stage.
- The festival embodied a rare moment of Pan-African optimism fueled by oil-era confidence.
Fela Joins Then Quits The Committee
- Fela joined the Festac planning committee and initially cooperated with authorities in 1976.
- He later resigned after presenting a nine-point plan that the committee dismissed as unwelcome.