Behind the artwork of Fela Kuti: Rich Medina and Lemi Ghariokwu

Programme in English.

During ADE, Felabration hosts a lively discussion between DJ and scholar Rich Medina and legendary Nigerian artist, illustrator and designer Lemi Ghariokwu, who is most renowned for providing many of the original cover images for the recordings of Afrobeat founder Fela Kuti.

Rich and Lemi will talk about Lemi’s relationship with Fela Kuti, his process in the creation of his iconic album artwork that adorns Fela’s first 27 LPs, and the impact of Fela’s method of anti-colonial and governmental protest on the world.

The art and music of these two unforgettable human beings goes far beyond dancing and celebration. The art and music invoke depictions of life under colonial rule in Lagos, Nigeria, and the entire colonized world for that matter. Fela’s decision making process in remaining in Lagos with his people after travelling the world via his music, combined with Lemi’s amazing ability to interpret those visions with such power and consistency remains an unsung dialogue on speaking truth to power, and standing up against fascism and the greed of colonial rule.

We will explore that discussion in a manner never heard before in The Netherlands. Both Rich and Lemi have carried on this tradition in full spectrum in their own relative ways. We thought it only right to bring together the artist who interpreted Fela’s vision with an American DJ and scholar who fundamentally introduced Fela’s music to New York City in the 1990s, to hold such an important forum during Fela’s birthday month.

Afterwards you can catch the last performance of Felabration at the Paradiso Noord concert hall.