UNITED STATES/NIGERIA: NIGERIAN MUSICAN FEMI KUTI CONTINUES HIS U.S. TOUR WITH PERFORMANCE AT THE NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL

Record ID: 390020

  • Title: UNITED STATES/NIGERIA: NIGERIAN MUSICAN FEMI KUTI CONTINUES HIS U.S. TOUR WITH PERFORMANCE AT THE NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL
  • Date: 12th August 2000
  • Summary: KUTI AND BAND PERFORMING AT NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL
  • Embargoed: 27th August 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, UNITED STATES AND LAGOS, NIGERIA
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment,General
  • Reuters ID: LVARLUPSPAEXHT8LX23LMDTHO2E
  • Story Text: Femi Kuti, son of Nigerian Afro-beat superstar Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has been following in his late father's footsteps- rising to the top of the African music scene. The 37-year-old has spent a large part of his summer touring the US looking to spread the music of Africa abroad.
    Femi Kuti and his band The Positive Force have been touring clubs and music festivals across the United States this summer, hoping to expand their fan base across the Atlantic. Kuti and the band recently brought their brand of Afro-beat music to the sometimes reserved Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island.
    The confident artist told Reuters that he thought the audience "loved" his performance, but confessed he was a little nervous.
    "I mean you read about these things in books in Africa you know," said Kuti. "You read about them, and then you arrive at the venue and you don't know what people are going to expect.
    It's very strange. And you just have to go out there and just play".
    Kuti has received positive feedback from fans and critics alike in the U.S., but admits selling African music to an American audience can be an uphill battle. Kuti's latest album, Shoki Shoki, featuring the hit African single "Beng Beng Beng" is not selling as well in the United States as Kuti had hoped.
    "It's difficult coming from Africa, Lagos, into Europe or America and want people to by your CD," said Kuti. "It's a big story and there are so many artists there. And so that is expected."
    Despite less than stellar sales in the U.S., Kuti remains optimistic. He's faced obstacles before. In August of 1997, he lost his father, Nigerian Afro-beat superstar Fela Anikaulapo-Kuti, to AIDS. Kuti says his father's death has given him a new perspective on things.
    "All in all, it has made me very - more courageous. To really understand the difference between life and death," said Kuti.
    The Nigerian artist is similar to his father in more ways than one. Kuti, like his father, packs a lot of political punch into his music - calling attention to many of Africa's problems. Kuti believes his music should teach as well as entertain.
    "When I talk about Africa, I want us to focus there because that problem is going to affect the whole world at the end of the day. Imagine a war erupting in Nigeria- it's going to be chaotic- 100 million people running up and down. So, everybody has to be on Africa's case. 'No, we will not allow you to do this."
    Kuti completes his summer tour of the U.S. on September 4th in Atlanta, Georgia. Kuti told Reuters he hasn't made much money on the trip but is confident the experience has made him a better musician.
    "I've played like 47 shows all over and made no money, says Kuti. "But, I knew what that would make. And if I could play 47 shows and not earn a dime I would. The impact will take me to the next stage musically. It will make me a better musician. I'll train myself on the road and listen to people, try to get better, try to get the attitude of being a musician. You only learn that from being on the road."
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