Fela Anikulapo-Kutis Sorrow Tears and Blood

(Hardback)

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Sorrow Tears and Blood offers a glimpse into the complicated social, cultural, and political phenomenon that is Nigeria. Though Nigeria is the most populous African country, and sometimes called the Giant of Africa, Felas album sheds a sharp light on the reasons why Nigeria has not lived up to its potential. While the text primarily hovers over 1977 (the year of the albums release) as a critical cultural moment in Nigerian history, it also explores the album in the context of a wider look at how colonialism and its aftermath impacted the social, political, and economic environment in Nigeria, and how Western imperialism continues to affect Nigerian identity and life. As we reflect on the results of the most recent Nigerian presidential elections of February 2023, and on the tense political climate that led up to and ensued from the elections, Sorrow Tears and Blood offers a rich sonic and lyrical landscape in which to interrogate the potency of Felas message for generations to come.

Author Bio

Stephanie Shonekan is Professor of Ethnomusicology and Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Maryland, USA. Her dual heritage combining West Africa with the West Indies allows her to straddle the Black world comfortably. Her publications explore the nexus where identity, history, culture and music meet. Her books include The Life of Camilla Williams: African American Classical Singer and Opera Diva (2011), Soul, Country, and the USA: Race and Identity in American Music Culture (2015), Black Lives Matter & Music (2018) and Black Resistance in the Americas (2018).