Fela...the Movie?

In 2010, Fela! took Broadway by storm with the unforgettable story and music of political activist/father of Afrobeat Fela Kuti. With Will Smith and Jay-Z on the production end, the monster musical easily scooped up 3 Tony awards and created an entire new generation of Fela fans worldwide. Now, the buzz in the streets is that the play will soon light up the silver screen in a film adaptation.



The gossip comes off the heels of news that Will Smith and Jay-Z will be teaming up again for a modern remake of the 1982 family movie Annie, starring Smith’s daughter, Willow. Annie apparently won’t be the last Broadway-to-film venture for Jigga man and Smith this year. The Fela film is rumored to be directed by Steve McQueen and Biyi Bandele, and to star British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (Salt, 2012).

So will die hard Fela Kuti fans Mos Def, Common, and Talib Kweli contribute their passions to the film’s soundtrack? I sure hope so. Either way, the Shrine family is positively stoked about the project. We’ll post more details as they come. In the meantime, cop your tickets to the Talib Kweli show this Friday, February 2nd, 2011 to hear music from one of the countless musicians inspired by the legend that is Fela Kuti.

For more info on this story, click here: http://questionmarkmag.com/2010/06/hollywood-working-on-fela-kuti-movie-after-the-succesful-fela-broadway/

To purchase tickets for Talib Kweli Live at the Shrine, click here: http://www.clubtix.net/talib-kweli-live-at-the-shrine-tickets-26558?o=1