U.S. Denies Fela’s Son Visa as Culture Vultures Gather in Chicago for African Festival of the Arts …Rude Boy Takes Charge

Segun Atanda/

 

Fans of Afrobeat star, Seun Kuti, had their hopes dashed on Sunday when he was billed to perform at the African Festival of the Arts in Chicago, U.S.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the organizers had to replace Seun Kuti & the Egypt 80 Band with R&B star of the defunct P-Square Band, Paul Okoye aka Rude Boy.

Okoye, however, revealed in a promo video that Seun, the youngest son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, could not make it to the U.S. for the 29^th edition of the African Festival of the Arts at Washington Park in Chicago because of visa issues.

 

The event, which ends today, is held annually during Labor Day Weekend.

The Festival grounds in Chicago’s Washington Park came alive at the weekend in a simulated African village, where attendees were transported across the Diaspora with interactive engagements, vibrant drumming.

On display were museum quality and collectible artefacts, colourful and rich hand-woven fabric and textile. Other program spaces and Interactive spaces include Drum & Afro-folk Village, Children and Family, African Heritage, African Spirituality, Wellness (Health) Village, Books and Authors, Fine Art, Film and Video, Food Court, Seniors and Quilting, as well as the African Marketplace.

0