Some Nigerians on Twitter have applauded the American music star, Beyonce for paying tribute to Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and honouring Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie.
Beyonce, who became the first black woman to headline Coachella on Saturday, did so with a two-hour performance and had her band perform a rendition of Fela’s 1976 classic ‘Zombie’.
Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician and activist, who launched Afro-beat, which then fused American blues, jazz and funk with traditional Yoruba music.
The News Agency of Nigerian reports that Nigerians were excited that Beyonce decided to honour two of their countrymen, alongside other black legends including Nina Simone and Malcolm X.
Below are some comments on social media.
Nigerian singer, @emmanyra wrote, “Beyonce just made me so proud to be who I am. Unapologetically black, female and talented. Our voice matters. She even paid tribute to Fela! I will forever be a fan.”
@Blackdot_Mandy; “Beyonce just paid a tribute to Afroking and Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti during her Coachella performance. I stan Beyonce Knowles.”
@Erhuwrites , “Who else got chills when they heard Chimamanda’s voice at the end of Beyonce’s glorious performance at Coachella? I still have goose bumps.”
@DrDendere: “Beyonce is now new level amazing. Chimamanda blasting out during her Coachella performance is life.”
@Ganga_A wrote: “Within Beyonce’s Coachella performance in the little bit where the band was going off, they play Fela Kuti’s Zombie. This is why she is number one, a cultured queen and an unshakeable throne.”
@KLCHII: “Beyonce really brought Fela to Coachella with that lil hook.”
Beyonce also featured Chimamanda Adichie’s speech ‘We Should All Be Feminists’, which was sampled on her song ‘Flawless’, at the end of her performance.
Adichie is a multi-award winning writer whose second book, ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ won the Orange Prize.
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