The son of the legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti brings to this year’s event what Youssou N’Dour brought in 2009: driving beats, frenetic dancing and real political conscience
The relationship you have with your father’s music has been described as both a blessing and a curse. Is that fair?
It depends on what the person is talking about. I don’t have a problem with being the son of a famous musician. I just saw a man I loved. My father was a great man. His music still has a great impact on the world today, and he was on a mission. He was fighting for the emancipation of the black man, he was fighting against corruption. I’m a very strict follower of this philosophy of his.
And you’re continuing the struggle all these years on…
After 40 years. I’m very sad, very depressed. It’s a big shame. Not much has changed. After all these years, we still address these same issues.
How will your message translate to an Abu Dhabi audience?
It’s my first time in the Middle East. I think the first thing that’s important is to see how Abu Dhabi is using their oil for the people of Abu Dhabi, and how the corruption in Africa takes our oil money away, not invested in our people. So now it’s exposing our corruption to the people of the Middle East; letting them see our side of the world.
Is everything you do politically motivated?
Yes. 99 per cent of everything I do is political. Politics affect everybody, and the decisions our leaders make affect our lives whether we like it or not. So if I’m not on the case, fighting this corruption, that means I don’t care about my children or my wife. I do care, so it has to be.
Are you ever tempted to leave Lagos?
I’m not tempted, but I’m angry sometimes. I ask questions: What am I doing? I know the answers. I’m fighting. If I was in America or Europe, I could not do my job singing about the problems in Africa. If I’m there, I’d have to sing about the problems I’m confronting there. Now, why would I want to leave my home to complain about someone else’s problems? If you are really a fighter, you have to be on the battlefield, not fighting from outside.
Femi Kuti is performing on the Abu Dhabi corniche: Thu, April 22, 11.35pm.
Chemirani Ensemble
Djamchid Chemirani is a highly respected Persian percussionist who has taught music at Paris Sorbonne Institut de Musicologie. As each of his children came of age, he taught them the instrument with which they have individually made their names. Together they perform in the Persian classical tradition: highly rhythmic, incredibly infectious.
The Chemirani Ensemble perform on Abu Dhabi Corniche: Fri, April 23, 9.15pm (Stage South).
Zawose Family
The Zawose’s are the children and relatives of Hukwe Zawose, a goat herder from Tanzania who was discovered playing traditional Wagogo music in his village by the country’s president. Summoned to be a kind of court musician, Zawose used his newfound position to promote his traditions. Sadly, he died suddenly of Aids in 2003, leaving the family in financial turmoil. However, his children have continued his mission and the Zawose Foundation now provides support to traditional artists and musicians from their region.
Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley
It’s fair to say that Bob Marley (‘Tuff Gong’ to his buddies) got about a bit. His estate recognises 11 children, the youngest of whom will be a big draw at this year’s Womad. His 2005 single ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ made number 12 on the US rap charts, and he had a minor hit with Gwen Stefani, but the man’s not about chart placings, more about performance and artistic legacy. He may also be all about hair, though. Get a load of those dreads!
Abu Dhabi Corniche, Sat, April 24, 11.10pm.
!Gubi Family
The !Gubi Family currently consists of six members, ranging in age from their teens to their eighties, although their music is considerably older. As Justin Adams explains on p24, theirs may well be the oldest unchanged musical style known to man. Music from Namibia’s Kalahari desert; music to slip into a trance to.
!Gubi Family perform at Al Jahili Fort: Thu, Apr 22, 8pm and Fri, Apr 23, 8pm (Desert Cultures Stage).
Kiddy creative
Last year’s kids’ workshops were hugely popular. It’s first come first serve, so get their early. We recommend keeping an eye open for the Mora Brothers (producing Cuban models and masks), Brown Monkeys (awakening your child’s inner vandal at their graffiti classes) and Dubai Drums (because everybody likes to make a racket once in a while).
