Fela Kuti's Collaborator Recalls Wild Years with Afrobeat Icon
The Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer's legacy has been celebrated recently by both a high-profile podcast produced by the Obamas and a career-spanning box-set. For Lemi Ghariokwu, who was not only an artist but also friend and confidant of Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, those years were marked by intense collaboration and unbreakable loyalty.
Ghariokwu's journey began in 1974 when he first crossed the threshold of Kalakuta, the Afrobeat pioneer's fiefdom-cum-commune. The space was notorious due to Fela's lifestyle, attracting young people from all over the neighbourhood who sought a more liberated way of life. Upon meeting Ghariokwu for the first time, Fela was struck by his portrait and gifted him 120 naira – a gesture that would become a recurring theme in their relationship.
Their initial meetings were marked by intensity, with Kuti sharing his frustrations about the authorities' increasingly hostile actions against him. As Ghariokwu's skills as an artist improved, he was commissioned to paint Fela for various album covers. However, unlike any other artist working for him at that time, Ghariokwu remained committed to his values.
Their collaboration was built around more than just aesthetic appeal; it was deeply rooted in their shared commitment to pan-Africanism and the fight against social injustice. Their partnership saw Kuti's lyrics becoming more satirical, reflecting his growing anger towards the corrupt government.
The artist's creative vision evolved dramatically as he absorbed the inspirations of a potent dose of marijuana that Fela had prescribed for him. Upon this high, ideas began to flow, guiding Ghariokwu in creating visually striking sleeves that captured the raw emotion and intensity of Kuti's music.
Through many album covers, including 'Alagbon Close', 'No Bread', 'Ikoyi Blindness', and others, Ghariokwu showcased his unique visual identity as a designer who had grown under Fela's guidance. Each sleeve offered a commentary on Nigeria's corrupt society, reflecting the duo's unwavering commitment to social justice.
However, their journey was not without challenges. The raid on Kalakuta in 1977 marked a turning point in their relationship, with Kuti being accused of treason and his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, thrown from a second-floor window. Despite this traumatic event, Ghariokwu remained steadfast in his loyalty to Fela.
Ghariokwu recounts how he walked away from Kalakuta after Fela rejected one of his sleeve designs, feeling disrespected and hurt. But years later, the two reconciled, with Ghariokwu continuing to contribute to Kuti's musical legacy until his untimely death in 1997 due to complications from AIDS.
Today, Lemi Ghariokwu looks back on those collaborations as a divine partnership that expanded African culture beyond borders and helped spread Kuti's message of justice, equality, and the power of art.
The Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer's legacy has been celebrated recently by both a high-profile podcast produced by the Obamas and a career-spanning box-set. For Lemi Ghariokwu, who was not only an artist but also friend and confidant of Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, those years were marked by intense collaboration and unbreakable loyalty.
Ghariokwu's journey began in 1974 when he first crossed the threshold of Kalakuta, the Afrobeat pioneer's fiefdom-cum-commune. The space was notorious due to Fela's lifestyle, attracting young people from all over the neighbourhood who sought a more liberated way of life. Upon meeting Ghariokwu for the first time, Fela was struck by his portrait and gifted him 120 naira – a gesture that would become a recurring theme in their relationship.
Their initial meetings were marked by intensity, with Kuti sharing his frustrations about the authorities' increasingly hostile actions against him. As Ghariokwu's skills as an artist improved, he was commissioned to paint Fela for various album covers. However, unlike any other artist working for him at that time, Ghariokwu remained committed to his values.
Their collaboration was built around more than just aesthetic appeal; it was deeply rooted in their shared commitment to pan-Africanism and the fight against social injustice. Their partnership saw Kuti's lyrics becoming more satirical, reflecting his growing anger towards the corrupt government.
The artist's creative vision evolved dramatically as he absorbed the inspirations of a potent dose of marijuana that Fela had prescribed for him. Upon this high, ideas began to flow, guiding Ghariokwu in creating visually striking sleeves that captured the raw emotion and intensity of Kuti's music.
Through many album covers, including 'Alagbon Close', 'No Bread', 'Ikoyi Blindness', and others, Ghariokwu showcased his unique visual identity as a designer who had grown under Fela's guidance. Each sleeve offered a commentary on Nigeria's corrupt society, reflecting the duo's unwavering commitment to social justice.
However, their journey was not without challenges. The raid on Kalakuta in 1977 marked a turning point in their relationship, with Kuti being accused of treason and his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, thrown from a second-floor window. Despite this traumatic event, Ghariokwu remained steadfast in his loyalty to Fela.
Ghariokwu recounts how he walked away from Kalakuta after Fela rejected one of his sleeve designs, feeling disrespected and hurt. But years later, the two reconciled, with Ghariokwu continuing to contribute to Kuti's musical legacy until his untimely death in 1997 due to complications from AIDS.
Today, Lemi Ghariokwu looks back on those collaborations as a divine partnership that expanded African culture beyond borders and helped spread Kuti's message of justice, equality, and the power of art.
man i'm still trying to wrap my head around how crazy it was for lem ghariokwu to be workin with fela kuti back in the day 
like who gets to paint an album cover for a legend and then be part of his inner circle? 
i mean, i've seen some wild stuff online but this is somethin else 
it's like fela created this whole other world and ghariokwu just ran with it 
afrobeat isn't just music, it's a movement and ghariokwu was right in the thick of it 
. And can we talk about the impact of marijuana on his creativity? 
It's wild to think that it helped him come up with those iconic sleeve designs 
. Their reunion years later was definitely a testament to the power of forgiveness and loyalty 
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it's wild to think about fela kuti's afrobeat legacy still blowing minds all these years later. the dude was a true original, no doubt about it 
he had this unapologetic energy that just drew people in. and lemi ghariokwu, man... what can i say? the guy was more than just a collaborator, he was like fela's little brother 
they're truly leaving a legacy that'll keep inspiring us for years to come 
Lemi's designs on those album covers are straight fire, he's like the original grafitti artist 
! It's crazy to think about how much influence he had on Afrobeat music and social justice movements. I love that Lemi Ghariokwu was more than just an artist who worked with him, but also a true friend and confidant - their bond is so inspiring 
.
I'm just thinking, what a legend Fela was! Like, can you imagine being part of something so big, yet still staying true to yourself? Lemi Ghariokwu must've had some crazy moments with Fela, but it's amazing how their bond lasted even after the tough times. I love how they used art as a way to fight against corruption and social injustice - that's something we can all learn from 
& it's dope to see how Ghariokwu's legacy is being celebrated, his commitment to pan-Africanism & Fela's values is truly inspiring 
his collab with Lemi Ghariokwu was straight fire 
i love how u can see the evolution of Fela's lyrics & visuals over time, reflecting his growing anger towards corrupt govts 
. I'm glad we're seeing more of these stories being shared, so we can learn from and appreciate Fela's impact on the world 
. Like, Ghariokwu wasn't just some artist tagging along, he was actively shaping Kuti's image and message through his art 
. I mean, we know he spoke truth to power, but at what cost? Ghariokwu's story shows us that sometimes you have to walk away from the fire 
. So yeah, let's give it up for Lemi and the countless others who helped shape Afrobeat into what it is today 
It's like, they were two peas in a pod, vibin' on the same frequency and creatin' magic together 
Their art is still so relevant today, speakin' truth to power and callin' out social injustice - it's like, totally needed now more than ever 
Keepin' Fela's legacy alive is a big deal, and I'm here for it! 
I mean come on, who thought it was a good idea to make Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti's collaborator, Lemi Ghariokwu, the main attraction in a piece about Afrobeat? It feels like they're trying to overshadow Fela's legacy by giving this guy too much credit. I get it, Ghariokwu was an important figure in Fela's life, but let's not forget who the real star of the show is here 
1/10 would not recommend reading more than 2-3 paragraphs from this article
i mean who else could make art that was both visually striking and socially conscious? it's crazy to think about how much ghariokwu was influenced by felas lifestyle and values, and how he remained committed to those even when faced with challenges 
anyway i feel like we could all learn from lemi ghariokwu's unwavering dedication to art and social justice 
. I mean, Fela Kuti is an icon, don't get me wrong, but can we please just have a decent platform to talk about his legacy without all the flashy box sets and podcasts? It feels like no one's focusing on the actual music or artistry anymore 
But it's weird how they always make these collaborations sound so intense and dramatic, like they're some kind of superpower duo 
And what's up with Fela rejecting Ghariokwu's design like that? That just feels like a major drama fest 
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