Gabriel Gbadamosi on Fela Kuti
Gabriel Gbadamosi nominates Nigerian political and musical maverick Fela Kuti. With Mathhew Parris and Stephen Chan. From 2013.
Poet, playwright, and critic Gabriel Gbadamosi chooses as his Great Life the political maverick and inventor of Afrobeat, musician Fela Kuti, and tells Matthew Parris why his work deserves to be better known.
Whether withstanding ferocious beatings from the Nigerian police, insulting his audiences, or demanding a million pounds in cash upfront from Motown records, his strength and stubbornness were legendary, and his gift for controversy unmatched.
Fela had more than 25 wives, some of whom he beat, and was President of his own self proclaimed Republic. He smoked dope and was the scourge of the rulers of a corrupt Nigerian state and was acclaimed as having the best live band on earth.
Gabriel Gbadamosi is joined by Stephen Chan, professor of International Relations at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, to discuss the musical and political life of this outspoken force of nature.
Presenter: Matthew Parris
Producer: Melvin Rickarby
First broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in 2013.
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Matthew Parris |
| Interviewed Guest | Gabriel Gbadamosi |
| Interviewed Guest | Stephen Chan |
| Producer | Melvin Rickarby |
Broadcasts
Tue 13 Aug 2013 16:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4- Thu 5 Sep 2019 18:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 6 Sep 2019 00:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
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Great Lives
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
