Skepta on the Legacy of Afrobeat Legend Fela Kuti

Cultural discovery
In 2018, Skepta, the trailblazing artist and producer from Tottenham, London, visited his ancestral homeland of Nigeria where he was awarded a chieftaincy in his parents’ hometown – a title bestowed in recognition of his positive contribution to community wellbeing. Whilst in Lagos, Skepta also made a stop at the New Afrika Shrine.

What’s your stand out Fela track?
‘Water No Get Enemy’ - it resonates with so many people. When you hear it it’s like a celebrating song. Fela speaks in metaphors. From the moment I heard it I wanted to make a song about water, and I ended up making ‘Pure Water’. That was a big check point for me.

What is the power of Fela’s music?
Art hits you at different times in your life when you’re going through different things at different ages. So when I was younger I was dancing to Fela, but the older I got, when I was going through my fights and my struggles as a man, and seeing how he dealt with his ones, I realised what he was singing about. When I got older I could hear his message clear.

What does the future hold for Africa’s young generation?
Going to the shrine was a big part of standing in the energy and feeling it. It’s important. For a long time we’ve been sold a vision [of Africa] that is not true. And I’ve always known that, from being a youngster. Now people are going back to Africa, and throughout my music, my art, I’ve always tried to talk about it and put it on a pedestal. You can see and feel Africa now, and respect Africa. It’s the respect of cultures that is very important.

Inside the New Afrika Shrine
Originally a favourite performance location of Nigerian Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti, The New Afrika Shrine is today a cultural centre in Lagos. The venue was re-opened in October 2000, on the third anniversary of Fela Kuti’s death by his eldest son, Femi.

Felabration
The New Afrika Shrine is the site of the annual Felabration festival, a week-long musical celebration of Fela’s life, work and legacy.