Lagos is alive, but it’s buzzing with even more energy than usual, and that is because Felabration 2025 is here. It’s the silver jubilee of this celebration of the legacy of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Yes, it’s that time of the year to remember the rebellious, eccentric Afrobeats legend that was as much musician as he was activist, and he was quite the musician.
From October 13 to 19, the city becomes a pulsating shrine of music, dance, fashion, and culture, all in honour of the man who gave the world Afrobeat.
This year’s theme, Shakara, is a nod to one of Fela’s iconic hits, but that’s not all it is. It’s a bold declaration that the originality, defiance, and black pride Fela stood for is alive, 28 years after his passing.
The “Water (No) Get Enemy” Debate That Set the Tone
To say this Felabration is going to be packed with goodies, doesn’t even begin to describe what we’re about to witness. True to tradition, Felabration kicked off with an intellectual bang, a debate symposium titled “Water (No) Get Enemy.”
The debate brings industry experts, thought leaders and policymakers together. In it, they will discuss the importance of water, sustainability and collective responsibility. It was the perfect way to start a week dedicated to a man who turned consciousness into a groove.
More Than Music: The Spirit of Felabration
Felabration has never been just a festival, you could call it a…cultural pilgrimage. Every October, The New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja becomes a melting pot of music lovers, revolutionaries, creatives…and curious newcomers.
You’ll find dancers in Ankara prints, poets spitting fire, old Fela disciples trading stories, and new-gen artists channeling that same energy through trap, amapiano, and Afro-fusion. The 25th edition promises to be nothing short of monumental.
The Musical Concerts: A Global Gathering
Over the years, Felabration has hosted everyone from Seun and Femi Kuti to Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Nneka. It’s a rare space where Afrobeats meet Afrobeats, and legends share the same stage with the new wave.
This year, the lineup (as always) is packed from highlife and Fuji to Afro-fusion and dancehall. Performances will echo through the Shrine every night, backed by the kind of energy only Lagos can generate, you know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Except you don’t live in Lagos.
For many artists, playing at Felabration is not just a gig, it’s the gig. It’s paying homage to the godfather of their sound. It’s Afrobeats rarefied air.
25 Years Strong: The Legacy Lives On
This isn’t just another Felabration. It’s the 25th edition: a silver jubilee of sound, spirit, struggle, rebellion, legacy, and culture. A festival born out of love for one man’s music has grown into a continental cultural institution.
From Lagos to London, Accra to Atlanta, Felabration has become a yearly reminder that music can be a weapon, medicine, and memory, all at the same time. Fela’s voice may have gone silent in 1997, but one thing is certain: His message keeps finding new beats, new languages, and new generations.
Fela: The Prophet Who Saw Tomorrow
It’s impossible to talk about Felabration without pausing to remember why it exists in the first place. Fela was more than an entertainer. He was a truth-teller in an era that punished truth, severely. His music was laced with sarcasm, wisdom, and rhythm. It exposed corruption, colonial hangovers, and mental slavery.
Today, when young Nigerians chant “Freedom” at protests, or when an Afrobeats song breaks global charts, you can trace it back to Fela’s unapologetic creativity. He taught us that African music didn’t need to imitate anyone. It could stand tall, speak the truth, and still make you dance.
The New Afrikans
For young Nigerians, Felabration isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a mirror that reflects what resistance can look like in our time.
It’s where you’ll find Gen Z creators remixing Fela’s anthems into TikTok trends, DJs spinning “Zombie” next to “City Boys,” and skaters in Shrine merch turning rebellion into fashion.
It’s a reminder that revolution now wears sneakers, speaks Pidgin, and tweets. But the heartbeat? Still Afrobeat.
October 19: A Grand Finale Unlike Any Other
You think you’re prepared, but you’re not…you can’t be. All roads will lead to the New Afrika Shrine on October 19 for the grand finale. It will be a marathon of performances, tributes, and unbridled Lagos energy.
If past editions are anything to go by, expect live bands, dancers, visual art, and the spontaneous magic that happens when creativity and passion meet freedom. Because at its core, Felabration has never been about mourning Fela’s death. No, it’s about celebrating his immortality.
Beyond Felabration: The Beat Goes On
In a world that’s constantly chasing trends, Felabration reminds us where the rhythm started. It’s not just a festival, it’s a heartbeat that refuses to stop. “Shakara” may be the theme this year, but beneath the swagger lies a celebration of African confidence, the kind that Fela taught us to never apologize for.
So, as the drums roll and the crowd gathers, remember:
Fela didn’t just give us music.
He gave us permission — to think, to dance, to protest, and to be proud of who we are.
And that, 28 years later, is still worth celebrating.
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