Curator and cultural strategist Seun Ali has said that late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti would have achieved “unimaginable” global influence if social media had existed during his lifetime.
Ali, who is the Project Lead and Curator of the Afrobeat Rebellion Exhibition, stated this during an exclusive interview while speaking on the Lagos edition of the ongoing travelling exhibition that celebrates Fela’s life, music, and activism.
According to her, “Fela was a musical genius and a dear cultural icon. With today’s level of technology and digital connectivity, what he could have done with Afrobeat is unimaginable. Even with limited resources in his time, he made a massive impact on society.”
The exhibition, originally conceived by the Philharmonie de Paris and first showcased in France in 2022, has now returned to Lagos, which Ali described as Fela’s “true home and creative base.”
She explained that the Lagos edition features 10 thematic sections, including Kalakuta Republic, Afrika Shrine, Lagos Baby, and The Early Years. Each section explores a different dimension of Fela’s artistry, activism, and personal life.
“In the introductory section, we feature landmark works by Diana Ejaita, a Nigerian-Italian illustrator and textile designer based in Berlin,” Ali said. “Her pieces were specially commissioned to portray the legacy and celebratory spirit of Fela.”
Ali, a lawyer, art broker, and founder of June Creative Art Advisory (JCAA), said her decision to bring the exhibition to Nigeria was driven by both passion and purpose.
“This project started in Paris, but Lagos is where it belongs. Beyond the artistic significance, it also helps strengthen the cultural relationship between France and Nigeria,” she noted. “I have always been a fan of Fela. Curating this exhibition meant digging deeper into his background, understanding the man behind the music, and appreciating how he reshaped political consciousness through sound.”
She added that the exhibition also highlights the Kuti family’s legacy, including the connection between Fela and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who is his cousin.
“That was the idea behind including the Early Years section,” she explained. “Many visitors didn’t know Wole Soyinka is Fela’s cousin. His mother was a Kuti who married into the Soyinka family. So, we felt it was important to show that family connection.”
Discussing the “Lagos Baby” section, Ali said it captures the vibrancy of the city that inspired many of Fela’s compositions.
“This section reflects the hustle and bustle of Lagos — the market scenes, the traffic jams, and the street life. You can see people entertaining themselves under bridges. That’s the Lagos that shaped Fela’s sound and lyrics,” she said. “We also drew inspiration from his song ‘Lagos Baby,’ which celebrates the city’s colourful chaos.”
When asked about the difference between Fela’s Afrobeat and the modern Afrobeats sound, Ali clarified that both are distinct genres.
“What the current generation is doing is quite different. Fela’s Afrobeat was a fusion of jazz, funk, and African rhythms, with long instrumentals and political messages,” she explained. “Today’s Afrobeats is more commercial and lyrically compact.”
She also addressed some myths surrounding the late musician’s stage persona, particularly his choice of attire.
“We included samples of his actual performance outfits to counter the myth that Fela performed in his underwear,” she said. “He had tailored stage costumes. When he appeared in underwear, it was usually at home or during rehearsals — he simply liked being comfortable.”
The exhibition’s library section, according to Ali, showcases books that influenced Fela’s ideology, including works by Kwame Nkrumah, Malcolm X, and Thomas Sankara, alongside books written about him.
“Fela was an avid reader, and many of the thinkers he read shaped his activism,” she said.
Ali emphasised that the exhibition offers something for everyone — from long-time fans to first-time learners.
“There’s something in this exhibition for everyone,” she said. “Some visitors come for nostalgia, others for education or inspiration. Whether you’re learning, reflecting, or being entertained, it’s worth your time.”
She confirmed that the Afrobeat Rebellion Exhibition is non-commercial and free to the public, running in Lagos until 28 December 2025.
“After the exhibition closes, most of the pieces will return to their owners, including Fela’s family, who loaned us several personal items,” she revealed. “You’ll just have to stay tuned to know where the exhibition travels next.”
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