On Monday, the Tony-award winning musical “Fela!” comes to the Belk Theater for a two-day run. The show features Destiny’s Child Michelle Williams plays love interest Sandra Izsadore. Actor Adesola Osakalumi plays the title role. He talked with Radio One about the groundbreaking musical and it’s connections to hip-hop.
How familiar with Fela were you before musical?
I was very, very familiar with his music. I was a big fan from the first time I heard his music. (My father and uncle knew Fela and had done business with him.)
What did you love about his music?
Once you started paying attention to his content and what he was saying. I thought he was pretty bold in what he was saying.
What hip-hop artist reflect Fela’s consciousness?
What I think connects Fela with hip-hop more so is the overall being a rebel not going with what the norms are. That’s basically what hip-hop started on, finding and doing your own thing. It was protest music.
Read Tonya Jameson’s 2010 review of Fela! on Broadway.
How has the hip-hop communities responded to the musical?
What Hip-Hop Can Learn From Fela! was originally published on oldschool1053.com
