by Atane Ofiaja
TIA: You were quite young when your dad passed away. What are your fondest memories of him?
Seun: Well you know it’s been a long time since my dad passed away. When I think of him when he was alive, I was a child. When I think about him now, I think about what it would have been like if he was around. The fondest memories of my childhood with him are things a parent would do with a child. We played, we talked, and he was always funny. What I think about now are the conversations he had about life in general and him telling me stories, those are fond memories as well. All I think about is how I wish I was able to have these types of conversations with him knowing what I know now. He always had great teachings. Even if it wasn’t a conversation, at least it was a lesson.
TIA: If Fela was alive today, what do you think he would think about the attention his music is garnering now, from the Broadway play, to rappers sampling his music?
Seun: Well, about people sampling Fela’s music, he never really cared about it that much. Many people sampled his music, but he never really took it to go after them or anything. If he was alive, I’m sure he would feel the same way about it today. With the Broadway play however, that would have needed his direct approval. Fela would have wanted his input on the music. The problem they would have had is that they would not have been able to cut the music. Every song would have to be played in its entirety.
TIA: Afrobeat is spreading, in large part due to the Fela play and with your constant international touring. What are your thoughts on American and European bands playing the music? Will the authenticity of it [afrobeat] remain?
Seun: Afrobeat will always inspire people. It will always inspire people and their individuality, because that’s what it promotes the most. So there’s no way that everybody will play the same kind of afrobeat. If it inspires that person to be who they want to be, then fine. That’s what Fela stands for, so everyone will interpret their own afrobeat differently.
TIA: Your latest album is titled From Africa with Fury: Rise. Can you elaborate on the title? What do you mean?
Seun: I wanted to stick to the point of view of the youth’s mind in Africa. What our opportunities are and what we truly go through. What changes shift our social consciousness, our political thinking and our orientation in Africa as youths? What can I as a youth give as a feeling about Africa? What can I put out there as an African youth? When I look to truly see the situation, there is anger. Anger you know can be blind rage. I used the word “fury” because I think that is a more calculated anger. That’s anger that can be pursued, without losing sight of the true goal, the issues and what is going on in Africa. What’s going on is truly bad. You know, I being a big James Bond fan, they can come From Russia with Love, so I think we can come From Africa with Fury. You understand? So that’s where I coined the title from, From Russia with Love, From Africa with Fury. With fury we rise.
Seun at Occupy NigeriaTIA: You’ve been a prominent face of Occupy Nigeria, at the forefront of marches, writing CNN articles, appearing on Al Jazeera and other media outlets. It’s been said that Nigerians have never known good governance. Do you think Occupy Nigeria can maintain the momentum? Will it be ongoing?
Seun: The thing about it is that it has reminded the people that their government did not and does not care about them. In Africa we do not have leaders, we have rulers. These rulers first serve the interest of multinational corporations and western powers before they consider the welfare of their people. People had forgotten this. Democracy brought some blind hope to people because there was supposed to be a lot of change, but that has all gone to bust now because of this whole financial crisis. The whole stock exchange thing in Nigeria where people were making money from stocks, people were making money from independent business, all those things were happening. But I saw that as temporary because the development of a country has to start by the empowerment of its people, not by having a quick or cheap way to make high interest rates in the banks and things like that. That’s not the way to empower people. You empower people by strengthening their rights in stone in the constitution. I mean look, the first line in the Nigerian constitution is a slap in the face of democracy. It states ‘We The Federal Government Gives Permission…’. Permission was passed from we the people. So the people of Nigeria, the youths especially, the students you have to remember have been idle for 20 years. Since 1993, the youths have not been involved in any kind of movement. So, this movement is the beginning. I hope this time we can organise properly and take a stand. Not even waiting for labor to demand what we want from the government.
Seun Kuti & Egypt80 @ Festival Banlieues Bleues
Seun Anikulapo Kuti @ Fela s Egypt 80 | Myspace Music Videos
TIA: Similarly to the Arab Spring, do you think Occupy Nigeria will start a chain effect of protests in West Africa and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa?
Seun: Yeah, absolutely. It has already started in Senegal, the protests against Wade [Abdoulaye Wade] and the final verdict of the election as well. I think African youths are fed up. You have to realise, this movement is not about social networking as they report in the western news. To understand this world, you have to be educated because everything is run by the educated. Western education, western laws, this is what controls the world. You have to be educated to understand these laws, and to understand this system. In the 60s, how many Africans were educated? In 1960 when Nigeria gained independence, there were only 200 graduates in the whole of Africa. 180 of those graduates were from Nigeria and Ghana. For the rest of the continent, there were only 20 graduates. So this is the first time that most Africans, rather a large chunk of Africans are educated, in the western sense of education. The youths in particular; most youths have been through secondary school. They now understand what’s going on. They can understand the system, and their frustration is coming to a boil. It’s not some kind of tribal thing, or a thing of ‘we are being used by the white man’, or ‘we are being used by this chief’ etc. It’s understanding what is going on and standing up as a person and knowing that I should be respected as a citizen and that I deserve peace as a human being. You understand?
TIA: Yes, I certainly do.
Seun: The enlightenment, the consciousness is what is waking up in them. Not a consciousness of tribe, ethnicity or anything. It’s a tribe of wanting the basic needs, understanding that the system should provide things for the people, and not the government deciding to live in luxury. The kind of luxury African government officials are entitled to is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.
TIA: As you mentioned, there is a lot of frustration with the youths. Are we currently witnessing a change from the deferential attitudes of the older generation to the people demanding what they want from their country now and in the future?
Seun: Yes. This is the way Africa is going. This is the first victory in our own generation, and the fact that the youths are beginning to get conscious.
TIA: The objectives of occupy Nigeria have been laid out in a five point plan. The protests were the first steps, but are there any strident plans beyond that to implement the change?
Seun: In due course of time. First, it will be general knowledge. That’s the next step in solidifying what we’ve done, and we’ll move forward from there to higher purposes. People just have to know first.
TIA: As someone who is very vocal against corruption, have you had any opposition from the government directly or indirectly?
Seun: Ah, well, that has always been there. (laughs)
TIA: That’s the nature of being an afrobeat musician it seems.
Seun: That’s been a part of my life since I was like 10 or something. It’s a good thing that we’re not under military rule anymore, and that it’s a democracy. But they have their “democratic” ways still. Also, you have to realize in Nigeria today, everything is owned by government officials. Especially the media, so important things don’t even get half the coverage they deserve. How many times did they even play Fela on the radio? They’re trying to kill the message, but the truth is that Fela and his message has inspired the world. Right now, people are awake. They understand what Fela stood for. So it’s important that all over the world that everyone should understand this.
TIA: It seems there is a large awakening of many young Africans who are taking pride in their heritage and culture. I see it everywhere. Many of them aren’t old enough to have been around for Fela, but in large part because his message still resonates through his voice and yours, they are more politically aware and active now. They seem keen to be involved in social justice and African politics.
Seun: I think everyone has got it in them; we just have to all want to be a part of the solution. And I know that the media wants to portray us as people that cannot accomplish anything on our own, but we are very enterprising people. To be enterprising, you have to be positive, that means you have to find where there is positivity. It’s just like Fela said inJust Like That, but there’s nothing without giving the youth a good example. What you see portrayed for the most part is not a good example, that’s why my music will not be played on the radio, and my lifestyle will not be shown as what’s right. They want the youths to look up to Europe and USA. And the African musicians are trying to be like that, telling them about selfish things like cars and clothes. How many Africans can drink champagne? Only 6-7% of Africans can drink champagne. Yes, I can tell you that categorically. So why should we be singing about champagne in Africa when so very few of us can afford it?
TIA: Perfectly said. There’s nothing more I could add to that. Do you have any closing comments?
Seun: It’s all good. I just want to thank you for promoting me in your medium and getting my message across.
TIA: Thank you Seun.
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