In his autobiography, Rikki Stein, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s last manager, recounts a memorable incident from his time at the helm of the afrobeat legend’s affairs. In 1986, shortly after Fela was released from prison by Nigeria’s military government, he embarked on a world tour with over 50 entourage members. While on tour, he and his crew were kicked off an American Airways flight due to someone smoking in the plane’s bathroom. The incident received widespread coverage and led to improved ticket sales. The crew sold out the rest of the American tour, except for Austin, Texas, where heavy snowfall impacted attendance. In another recollection, Stein was introduced to Fela’s concoction in Los Angeles. Tagged “goro,” the concoction was made from slow-cooked marijuana seeds and molasses. Before a performance, Fela gave Stein a tablespoon of the concoction. According to Stein, it led to an intense and surreal experience during the show.
SOURCE: SEMAFOR
