Afro Beat, the genre of music that Fela Anukulapo-Kuti invented and promoted to international renown, has enjoyed increasing global acceptance even after the demise of Fela in recent time.
Most recently, Broadway, New York , has popularised Fela’s work with its show of the lives of the musical legend. Studies on the life and works of Fela are gaining interests abroad.
However, back home in Nigeria where Fela lived and plied his wares, Afro Beat is on the verge of extinction.
However, back home in Nigeria where Fela lived and plied his wares, Afro Beat is on the verge of extinction.
Since his demise, there are only a handful of bands that are playing Afro Beat. No new band of repute (or promise) has joined the scene in the past 10 years.
And if the situation is not corrected, Afro Beat may soon become music played only abroad, a big loss to Nigeria – and Africa .
And if the situation is not corrected, Afro Beat may soon become music played only abroad, a big loss to Nigeria – and Africa .
On this premise, Mavina Entertainment Limited, a Lagos based entertainment outfit has concluded plan to introduce “The Next Afro-Beat Star”, a TV musical reality talent hunt show to create the next generation of Afro Beat stars who will sustain interest in this genre of music.
Speaking to the media during the week, the company’s project Director, Mr. Rotimi Adewusi posited that “The Next Afro Beat Star project. aims at arousing, sustaining, and retaining interests in this genre of music.
Designed to run in two phases for 26 weeks, The Next Afro-Beat star begins in the first phase with a 13-week episodes that include regional competition and the final. This phase will be shown on some select TV network in the country.
The second phase will be a national tour of the top winners and some select top Afro-Beat exponents “
The man who emerges winner as the Next Afro-Beat star according to Mr. Adewusi, smiles home with cash, a car, a recording deal and the opportunity of an international release. Speaking to the media during the week, the company’s project Director, Mr. Rotimi Adewusi posited that “The Next Afro Beat Star project. aims at arousing, sustaining, and retaining interests in this genre of music.
Designed to run in two phases for 26 weeks, The Next Afro-Beat star begins in the first phase with a 13-week episodes that include regional competition and the final. This phase will be shown on some select TV network in the country.
The second phase will be a national tour of the top winners and some select top Afro-Beat exponents “
The first and second runners-up will also go home with different cash prizes.