Read This

Fela Kuti is undoubtedly one of the most revered African icons - not just in a musical sense - period. It's only natural that there would be plenty of people who try their hand at telling his story. But perhaps, the one that should be the go-to story of the man and the music is one he penned himself. Sort of.

Before his death, the Nigerian legend invited longtime friend and Afro-Cuban journalist, Carlos Moore, to his home and over a few days, he told him the story of his life. And what's better than hearing it from the horse's mouth? The result was Fela: This Bitch Of A Life, one of the most compelling biographies I have ever read. It is also the only book, now in its third print, to give the accounts of all of Kuti's wives.

Moore made headlines when he took the producers of the FELA! Musical to task for attempting to use him and the book as the source of the musical without proper remuneration or credit. It was quite a treat to watch Moore tell this lawsuit story but more importantly, the tale of his friendship with Kuti. Moore addressed a packed crowd at Xarra Books in Newtown a couple of years ago and I remember artist manager, Mutsai Musa and I being anxious to get the poetry over and done with so we could hear from the writer. He even told us that originally, Fela wanted to call his biography "This Motherfucking Life" but Moore talked him out of that title.

Fela: This Bitch Of A Life is deep and deeply unapologetic and even if you aren't an afrobeat fan, you'll find the book to be an interesting read.