Fela honoured as Africa’s Fearless Man at Felabration 2021

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

It was a night of great performances and talent display as Fearless energy drink, the premium brand of Rite Foods, honored the late Afrobeat king, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, with a posthumous award of the “Fearless Man of Africa” at the Felabraion 2021 finale. It was also for his musical prowess and the legacy the music legend left behind for posterity.

The Fela’s posthumous award is hinged on the story conceptualized by the energy drink brand, from its recent findings on courageous people in all spheres, including music where the late Afrobeat king made an enduring impact.

Looking so magnificent and admirable, the posthumous award formed part of this year’s week long Felabration event held from October 11-17, 2021, with the theme “Viva Nigeria Viva Africa.” Relaying his past, Fela fearlessly composed songs like “Suffering and Smiling,” “Sorrow, Tears and Blood,” and “Unknown Soldier” as a form of political resistance against oppressive and dictatorial rule. Also are songs against inhuman acts against Africans like “Colonial Mentality,” “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense,” ‘’Mr. Follow Follow’’, among others.

Speaking on the bespoke award, the Managing Director of Rite Foods, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, posits that the late Fela deserves honour for the impact he made in the music industry, having fought a good cause for the people through his songs. He said Fela resonates with what Fearless stands for, positive energy, courage, leadership, and can-do spirit that comes with Fela’s creativity and leadership quality, his pursuit for a better Nigeria and Africa in general.

Presenting the award, which attracted loud ovation from Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, Fela’s eldest daughter and younger brother, Kunle Anikulapo-Kuti, Rite Foods Brand Manager, Boluwatife Adedugbe, said the Fearless posthumous award signifies the importance attached to the life and times of the Afrobeat megastar. She affirmed that the outstanding performance by the music legend that made the nation and Africa could not be unrecognized; hence the noble recognition awarded him.

Receiving the award, Yeni, who was amazed and thrilled with the attractive symbol said it signified his father’s greatness in his sphere of music genre and his giant stride in bringing about social change through it, and expressed her joy for the very important recognition of her father’s effort. She stated that the award is significant because it is from a leading brand that has been promoting human and economic development, especially in the entertainment industry, which is a burgeoning sector of Nigeria’s economy.

Similarly, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, an Afrobeat icon and Fela’s heir, commended the Fearless energy drink brand of Rite Foods for sponsoring this year’s Felabration as talented artistes energized by the leading brand came up with electrifying performances at the musical shows of the event. Other highlight of the night was the performance by D’Banj, a megastar in Nigeria’s musical industry, who thrilled the audience with one of his hit songs, “Top of the World.”