Drumbeat as Femi Kuti marks golden jubilee.

Vanguard. Lagos. Nigeria. 8.6.12 ​

By OPEOLUWANI AKINTAYO

 

 

The drums will soon be rolled out as Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, the king of Afrobeat and one of Africa’s most decorated musicians celebrates his golden jubilee in a matter of days. He will be 50, come  June 16.​

Already Femi has vowed to celebrate his 50th birthday anniversary in a big way. Unlike when he turned 49, the famous musician  is out to make noise about the milestone. He’s putting plans together to throw a big birthday bash that will be ‘an experience of a lifetime.’

*Femi Kuti

After the party, Femi and his family members and friends will attend a  thanksgiving service, on Sunday, June 17, to God for His mercies.

Femi is the first son of Afrobeat legend,  Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Since music has been part of him right from childhood, everyone wasn’t surprised when he decided to step into his father’s shoes. And his late father, being very popular both locally and internationally because of his enviable creativity,  Femi naturally benefited from his father’s fame.

Born in London, Femi is one of Africa’s most respected musicians. But after his parents got separated, he initially lived with his mother, after which he reunited with his late father. Later, he joined Fela’s band after dumping school, a band which he led after his father was imprisoned by the military government for his inciting anti-military musical lyrics. Having served under his father for a long time, he ‘gained freedom’ and later set up his band in 1985 at the age of 23 years.