In Memoriam: Robert Gabriel Mugabe

Of Fela, His Music, and Social Change

(By Sylvester Asoya) - “Arrest the Music!” 

I met Professor Tejumola Olaniyan a couple of times just before his exciting work: “Arrest the Music: Fela and His Rebel Art and Politics” was released.

The amiable scholar who teaches African Cultural Studies and English at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, told me some interesting stories about Fela during the course of our conversation. The most fascinating for me, is the growing popularity of the Afrobeat king at leading centres of learning in the United States and other parts of the free world. According to him, Fela is currently a subject of great interrogation and extensive study, especially on issues of popular culture and mass mobilization. 

Olaniyan also revealed the origin of his bizarre title, “Arrest the Music!” “Arrest the Music!” was actually a military order by an unlettered soldier on sighting Fela on the performing arena during one of those government sponsored raids on Kalakuta, Fela’s former residence around Ojuelegba area of Lagos in 1977. 

But Fela was indeed, the music! On this score, I think the untutored soldier voiced unusual philosophy.

Nollywood, Piracy, and Post-Colonialism

(By Jack Kyono) – At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, cinephiles and entertainment reporters are abuzz with excitement, the latter framing out the headlines of what has quickly become one of the premier events of the year for film screenings, celebrities, and industry gossip. Many of the top stories come from the usual stars: Chloë Grace Moretz shines in her new film, Brain on Fire; the success of the Rob Reiner-directed biopic, LBJ, affirms the rom-com icon’s successful transition to more serious material, and designer-turned-director Tom Ford unveils the first trailer for his stylish, sophomore feature, Nocturnal Animals.

Behind all the usual Hollywood headlines, however, lies a storyline unknown to the average American, but one that could mean a world of change for an entire continent. As part of the TIFF’s “City to City” program, highlighted are the films of Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city and the center of its prolific and controversial film industry, Nollywood.

Nollywood: In Promotion of Pan-Africanism

Source: Switsalone

(MarkLives)--Pan-Africanism is defined by “the idea or advocacy of a political alliance or union of all the African nations” — an idea that has been discussed, debated and promoted throughout the entire continent for many decades. In the 21st century, media platforms in Africa have become an important player to unify the underlying voice of ubuntu and cultivate a landscape of independent, yet intertwined, African culture.

One important player in the promotion of an interconnected African spirit is the highly successful Nigerian film industry — which averages an annual turnover of US$250m.