The City of Los Angeles California is set to host a live band tribute concert in honour of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, following his GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recognition.
The event will take place on January 31 at The Paramount, shortly after The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards Ceremony, and will celebrate Fela’s life, music and enduring legacy
The performance will be led by Duain Richmond, the Sierra Leone-born, Los Angeles-based artist widely acclaimed for portraying Fela on Broadway. Richmond will perform alongside The Neighbourhood Orchestra, a multicultural ensemble known for its dynamic collaborations and community-focused performances.
The evening will also feature special guest appearances and a DJ set by MEKA.
“Fela’s music was never just entertainment; it was a call to consciousness,” Richmond said. “Bringing this live experience to Los Angeles a city that played a key role in shaping Afrobeat and Fela’s political awareness is deeply meaningful.”
Los Angeles holds historic importance in Fela’s journey. In 1969, activist Sandra Izadore introduced him to revolutionary figures such as Malcolm X, Angela Davis and Huey P. Newton, influences that shaped both his music and political ideology.
Fela went on to pioneer Afrobeat, blending Yoruba rhythms, jazz, funk and highlife, using music as a powerful tool to challenge political oppression. His legacy continues to inspire artists and activists around the world.
