Or maybe made a mistake so cringe-worthy you wish you could disappear?
For Nigeria‘s officials, those moments are becoming more common, and in the age of video sharing on social media, it is near impossible for people to forget. But before there was Youtube, there were musicians mobilizing the masses and challenging the government to do better. In Africa, no artist was better at voicing political mishaps, corruption and plain-old-wrongdoing like Nigerian musician Fela Kuti.
You could say he was a pioneer of the ‘diss track’ but his motive was to boost African consciousness. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the founder of Afrobeat music was more vocal about government corruption. Heavily inspired by the Black Panther movement and the activism of his late mother, Funmilayo, he put his views to music and recorded songs like “Zombie” and “Suffering and Smiling.”
In honor of Fela Kuti’s 75th birthday, we remember his knack for social commentary and look at three moments (and one person) that we wish Fela was alive to sing about today:
Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. Photo Credit: Billboard.com
3. The Grammarticalogylisationalism of Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon
If there is a practice politicians are well-known for it’s talking, and Nigeria’s Patrick Obahiagbon, is one government official with a passion for public speaking. The former Edo State representative is most famously known for his robust vocabulary and using lengthy verbiage to communicate even the most simple of ideas. Videos of Obahiagbon are posted on Youtube and many wait for opportunities to hear him speak. But with all the ‘verbose speech’ and ‘verbal labyrinths’ distracting listeners, the message tends to get lost.
https://youtu.be/OF0Re7gJBb8
It may be safe to say the recently promoted official is an embodiment of Fela’s song, “Mr. Grammarticalogylisationalism Is the Boss.”
Him talk oyinbo pass English man!
2. #OccupyNigeria
In January 2012, a decision to remove fuel subsidies sparked mass protest across Nigeria. The decision, made by Goodluck Jonathan, also inspired solidarity protests by Nigerians living in the diaspora. The protests brought attention to years of frustration and disconnect between the Nigerian people and the government. Years later, it’s the same issues Fela spoke of in his music as well as interviews. This video, taken at New York a town hall meeting for ‘Occupy Nigeria,’ captures activist and Sahara Reporters founder Omoyele Sowore as he voices his frustration with the country’s government officials. Sowore calls out a Nigerian minister who walked into the meeting an hour and half late. The embarrassed minister attempts to quiet him, but she is unsuccessful.
1. Oga at the Top
This moment may be one the lowest points for Nigeria’s government this year, but the clip, which has been made into memes and gifs repeatedly, is a media moment that went viral. Of course, we don’t know what Fela would have said in response to Mr. Obafaiye Shem’s referral to his ‘oga,’ but one thing we do know, ‘Oga at the Top’ would likely be a song title on one of his studio albums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ3nHdBnPE4
By N.G. Onuoha-Onike for Africa.COM
Have any other moments you think Fela would respond to? Let us know by leaving a comment.