Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80 band founded by the late Fela Kuti wowed their audience as they performed at the Freedom Park Lagos to celebrate former band manager Lekan Animashaun popularly known as Baba Ani on his 85th birthday.
Baba Ani who joined the band in 1964 is one of the personalities that were instrumental to the rise of the afrobeat genre having worked with Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti and recorded his own songs too.
The event which started on Saturday and lasted till Sunday had in attendance, other afrobeat bands and dance troupes who performed and celebrated with him. Goodwill messages and speeches were made to celebrate the musician who served the Egypt 80 Band for five decades.
In honour of his achievements, a workshop will hold at the Lagos Theatre in Igando, Lagos on Wednesday, August 18.
To round up the festivities of celebration, an event titled: ‘Toast to Baba Ani: Master of Integrity and Loyalty’ will hold at the Gbedu Music Village, Ayobo Ipaja in Lagos on Sunday, August 22.
Baba Ani produced his first album in 1995 titled Low Profile Not For The Blind. One of the hit tracks from the album ‘Se Rere’ was used as a soundtrack in Mohammed Ali’s film Rumble in the Jungle.
