Andrew Dosunmu Directing Fela Kuti Biopic

The Fela Kuti biopic will be directed by Andrew Dosunmu.

Okayafrica last caught up with Andrew Dosunmu ahead of the theatrical release of his gorgeously photographed debut feature Restless City. Now, Focus Features have announced the hiring of the Nigerian filmmaker/photographer — whose second feature Mother of George opened this past weekend — to direct the Fela Kuti biopic, which itself has a bit of a long-winded history.

Back in December 2009 the project was given a green light to be directed by 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen. McQueen was to co-write a script along with the upcoming Half of a Yellow Sun director Biyi Bandele based on Michael Veal's “Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon" [2000]. The most recent life form of Fela Kuti will see Dosunmu directing from a more recent screenplay (also adapted from Veal's book) penned by Nigerian poet Chris Abani and Focus CEO James Schamus. Needless to say, we're excited for this one to come to light!

Andrew Dosunmu fela kuti biopic

Music

Listen to Femi Kuti's New Song 'As We Struggle Everyday'

Femi explains: "'As We Struggle Everyday' is about how hard people work everyday to make ends meet and still go to vote corrupt politicians into power who are meant to be in jail."

Femi Kuti shares his new single, "As We Struggle Everyday," the latest drop from the upcoming double album Legacy +, a joint endeavor with his son Made Kuti.

"As We Struggle Everyday" is a politically-charged afrobeat tune about people having the voting power to hold their 'leaders' accountable, but often failing to do so. Throughout the song, Femi sings "As we struggle everyday We try to find a better way See these leaders wey suppose jail Na him my people dem dey hail."

Femi explains: "'As We Struggle Everyday' is about how hard people work everyday to make ends meet and still go to vote corrupt politicians into power who are meant to be in jail."

Legacy +, which is due out February 5 from Partisan Records, includes a full album by Femi titled Stop The Hate and an album by his son, Made, titled For(e)ward. The pair have previously shared the singles "Pà Pá Pà" and "Your Enemy" off the upcoming release.

Listen to Femi Kuti's "As We Struggle Everyday" below.

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Andrew Dosunmu Directing Fela Kuti Biopic

The Fela Kuti biopic will be directed by Andrew Dosunmu.

Listen to Femi Kuti's New Song 'As We Struggle Everyday'

Femi explains: "'As We Struggle Everyday' is about how hard people work everyday to make ends meet and still go to vote corrupt politicians into power who are meant to be in jail."

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