Fela! A New Musical Off Broadway

[Adeolafilm]

I saw the show in Nigeria. Awesome! Love it! Great! I just feel some of the dances werent quite Nigerian and the accent was a give away. I wish you could use guys in Nigeria as well. I still love it...

[olamization]

``music is the weapon`` - fela kuti

[cudaco]

My flight is booked. I'm on my way before it closes! Woo hoo!

[oluwadurotimi1]

The dancing was not in anyway NIGERIAN DANCE STEPS, secondly it was to commerical, the dancers always wore the same outfit have a look at what they wore and they next time you intend to do something like this get it right.

[PatsBooks]

@oluwadurotimi1 Since you are not financing the show who cares what you think? The musical was a success.

[uteme12345]

@PatsBooks I do care about what he says........he doesn't have to finance the show to speak the truth about it. FELA musical may be a success but I still tell you that it relates, not in style, to FELA and his dancers and concepts.......I commend Billy T Jones for taking up the project, but there could have still been that Nigerianness in it. The stuffs that made FELA what he was.......As a dramatist and screenwriter.....I know what I'm talking about.

[PatsBooks]

@uteme12345

What's stopping you from producing your interpretation. You are just giving your point of view. As a an American who is going to to show, it is different enough for my satisfication. Again, the American audience doesn't care or know the different. It's not relevant for this audience. If this was marketed to a Nigeria audience, then you would have an argument, because they have a different expectation.

[oakjazz]

Thankfully, Fela's kids including Femi have seen the show and loved it, they understand it as being an interpretation of the man Fela's story, his music and what he stood for to the American public. The opinions of some here are therefore inconsequential.

[oakjazz]

"oneuniqueshawty" ,glad you enjoyed it. As a NIgerian and a big fan of Fela , I'm very porud of this effort. For those who have issues, please promptly arrange something in memory of Fela in any way you feel would be to your liking.

[YaPopsable]

U people have bastardized a legend u fucking bastards!! must you commercialize everything????

[Nestoba]

The fact that a Nigerian was not featured in the show does not mean that the message were not convey. They made a very correct analysis and well presented to the need of the audience.

[DaNcEpAnTsBOOM]

ugh this looks so amazing i wish i could fly to new york and see it!!!

[muneih]

Great show.

[MeiMeiluvsu]

i've just seen the one on broadway.....ammmmaaaazzzziinn­nnnggg

[AholouDemesse]

amazing

[oluwalogbon58]

@AholouDemesse stalker!!

[ndoss01]

I give props to Bill jones.very good initiative Fela was just a beast.

[DrAyaba]

It would have been a great opportunity to join energies with our African Brothers and Sisters to perform together in this great tribute. What efforts were made to do that,I wonder, if any. The ancestors are energies that propel us forward & I can only reflect what my energy would work towards after this physical life...UNIFICATION OF OUR PEOPLE. Was his family guests on opening night? Were they consulted as well? Thanks for including Antibalas, however, Fela has children who perform also.

[oluwalogbon58]

@DrAyaba go watch seun kuti's comments on that on my page. we just have to calm down and accept that this is way they are bringing fela to an audience who otherwise would never be exposed to our musical icons ..

[fayinkamommi]

its good to know some credit is being given to FELAs music finally. though they may not be all that good in presenting his music or the views he held we should appreciate the fact that the world will hear his voice once more and maybe some how through this channel his fight will not be all for nothing.

[vuduinternational]

This is a beautiful non sense.

[oakjazz]

For all those that have issues with this wonderful effort which has introduced many to a great musical genius, please try and do something you think would be better.

[afroda3]

"bigbowl" respect for your comment!! i ve been a life long fan of FELA even before i could speak english and believe me this pretense about promoting his music is nothing but dancing on his grave!! FELA could have commercialised his music and become the richest and greatest musician ever!!! but thats not what he was about .

this to me look like "lets help africa" crap that benefit noone but " the helper " themselves...and frankly oyibo man tried it first...........

[oluwalogbon58]

@afroda3 i know you are angry about this production but we just have to accept it like this as its the only way fela will be exposed to those who actually need to know about this..what we as africans, nigerians take for granted they dont know it makes us who we are.. so we just have to share some of our own precious jewels sometimes.. lol! by the way you are so right as fela would have spat on the whole thing.. he had no time for watering down what he had to say and he is no rap star...

[mszoe3000]

This is not what Fela stood for.

[TheSpeldance]

this is an awesome play see soon its great

[bigbowldrop]

Commoti Jare ... If Baba was here now ... I think he would yab deez Broadway people and dem yeye show ... How many everyday people will get to see it? Fela was all about uplifting the sufferers and challenging oppressors .. Movement of the People .... wetin do dem hen heen ... ? As the Black president, a.k.a Abami Eda himself would say ... Babanla Nonsense!

[vixxy02]

@bigbowldrop GBOSSA! GBOSSA! GBOSSA!

Very well said! Notice there's an obvious non Nigerian cast, right down to the dancers/choreographers! This is an obvious Americanized version of what they think Fela stood for.....How completely wrong they are in their assumption!

PEACE!!

[ndoss01]

@vixxy02 i tought there were africans in this.the leading role is an african guy hes not?

[vixxy02]

@ndoss01 I THINK HE'S A YANK!

[ndoss01]

@vixxy02 i got his name Sahr Ngaugah, he was born in the Us but his parents are from Sierra leone.

[vixxy02]

@ndoss01 So they couldn't have got a Nigerian,or they specifically got a non Nigerian just to say they have an African in the cast....then again maybe they approached Nigerians who refused to take part in this fascade!

[ndoss01]

@vixxy02 yes they could have got a nigerian i see what you try to say,whats more weird for me is theres no member of his family around.but this is an american production they bring the money so they can do whathever they want. the Idea is very good tough.

[vixxy02]

@ndoss01 absolutely my sister! They know the REAL reason WHY they didn't want ANY of his family members in any part of this production......NOBODY TO CHALLENGE THEM!

[oluwalogbon58]

@vixxy02 go watch seun's comments to be honest we just have to accept that this is the way they want to do it .. i hope they come back to putting yoruba culture to the forefront as it is very much part of fela's persona the language is what he sang in.. when this comes here to the uk.. we have talents who can show this from our point of view.. however i still support the production it is giving these aa exposure to the type of music they dont know exists.

[oluwalogbon58]

@vixxy02 am surprised that our stalker hasnt come to attack you for that viewpoint,! instead all he could muster is a weak comment after attacking nigerians and yoruba people he comes to admire our icons.. lol!

[AholouDemesse]

@oluwalogbon58

You're still talking about me? lol

Listen, I don't agree with a lot of Vixxy's viewpoints but her views have never prevented us from maintaining a cordial relationship based on mutual respect. If ever I felt that Vixxy was a hater, i'd treat her like other haters and "shake her off" but I don't have that impression. She doesn't seem to be on some crusade against AA's, she states her opinions and keeps it moving, which is what I do :-)

[AholouDemesse]

@oluwalogbon58

I told you yesterday that i'm not interested in having virtual arguments and insult wars over nothing. I have always commented on a wide range of videos. There are no ethnic borders on YouTube, perhaps in the conflicted minds of those who seek to divide. If I comment on a 9ja video, it's not because i'm keeping tabs on you but because I came across an interesting video, liked it and left a comment. If we happen to cross paths on a video, just let me be, don't invent lies

[AholouDemesse]

@oluwalogbon58

No, I did not discover Fela Kuti thanks to your channel. The last time I clicked on your screen name was a year ago when we first met.

So please, just chill out, relax, life is too short to obsess over perfect strangers on YouTube

[oluwalogbon58]

@AholouDemesse stop trolling and go and play some rap lol!

[AholouDemesse]

@oluwalogbon58

No problem, i'm done with this board, unless someone else decides to respond to me, take care Oluwalogbon :-)

[ACTINGDRAMA]

@vixxy02 His kids didnt take issue with it.

[ominousjade]

@vixxy02 fyi this is an american production and a dream and work of an american. we nigerians have always had fela, but no one came up wt the incentive of making this. we should b proud of this production and not point out who is nigerian or not. 

[ladyslove89]

@ominousjade thank you for that comment. Those who are refuting the idea of this production should actually go and see it. the Show is amazing and absolutely tries it's best to depict Fela as accurately as they could.

[KiRetteCouture]

@ominousjade thank you! anyone who's complaining about this show should find a better way of doing it. i saw this show in london last week and was totally blown away. nigerian or not, the cast got it. i dare say sahr ngaujah was possessed by Fela. slightly overdramatised it may be, but i don't think the story strayed from Fela's message. i'm so excited because another generation has been introduced to a legend we must never forget. well done Bill T Jones and team!

[KiRetteCouture]

@ominousjade

[KiRetteCouture]

@ominousjade thank you! there are so many rich africans who could've dreamed this up but probably either didn't have the inspiration or will to do it. a new generation has been introduced to a legend whose story must not die. why can't we celebrate that!

[EyeWearMySunglasses]

@vixxy02 i was wondering if they were nigerian performers!

[RicxelArms]

Great points. Nice presentation

[oneuniqueshawty]

Words can't even express the great joy I felt watching this musical. I am a big fan of both braodway and off broadway plays and this one was by FAR the BEST MUSICAL I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!! Bill T. Jones and Fela have completely outdone theirselves with this one! It is worth every penny that you spend to see this. I would even spend money to see it again. EDUCATION and LIBERATION at its best!

[TA360]

Mind blowingly awesome.

[flabby212]

love fela...He was nigeian like me.....He always spoke the truth by any means necessary....

"Teacher no teach me nonsense".."zombie oh zombie"

[bigabefree]

this is great, i do hope to see it one day.

great post.

[TeFLoNDuLLe]

look out for teflon money money on youtube fela respect 4ever rip

[soulgriot]

Saw the play yesterday. Highly recommended!!!

Outstanding introduction for those who are unfamiliar with this great artist. I first became aware of Fela in the 1970s, and based on my knowledge, the play is astonishingly accurate.

[rossmeroe]

FELA!!!!!!

[antjuanoden]

i want to see this!!!

great post thank you!!

[orgnice]

the most amazing play i have EVER seen in life. its a must see

[BAddKKARma]

this was great everyone should go.. one of the great performces ive seen

[wachaushenzi]

like Fela said how can you criticise music if you aren't one making it?...how do you include in your comments "Fela Kuti though immoderate...and misguided...sceptical" exactly what Fela Kuti is talking about. Who are you to judge his deeds or motivations? I suppose anything to sell the show Huh?

'

'

"

[kindu2006]

That guy speaking looks like Henry Bonsu!

[YouTubularinNYC]

I am so excited about this! It looks like it's going to be a fabulous show ... My friends and I are already planning to go see it when it opens!

[elijahcapell23]

Great Idea, but Fela was not a great leader, not the kind of man that we should be looking up to.I love his music, please remember anyone can tell you what is wrong in a system . He and bob marley undermine government and foster dissatisfaction.

[sovklophy]

elijahcappell23, your comments make no sense whatsoever. There would be no progress in the world without ppl like Fela who voice the ppl's dissatisfaction with the government...Dont talk about things that you do not understand.

[gm78cc]

and I bet OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA SHOULD BE ONE, YOU PALE FOOL, BOTH THOSE GUYS DIED BECAUSE THEY SPOKE AGAINST THE LIES OF THE WESTERN WORLD, THAT AFRICANS ARE STUPID AND CANT HOLD THEIR OWN, WHEN IT WAS REALLY THE EUROPEAN ENSLAVEMENT THAT TURNED AFRICANS AGAINST EACH OTHER, WHICH LEADER SHOULD WE HAVE OTHER THAN ONE WHO TELLS THE TRUTH

[zookat]

This is FANTASTIC!

Hope this would develop into a full fledge movie eventually? The track, "Kalakuta Show" evokes memories of seeing him perform it live with the theatrics.

"Yeah-Yeahs" to you!

[haveknot]

i'll be first! and i CERTAINLY WILL be heading south from albany in the next couple months for this--looking very forward to it!