27th December, 2013
Afrobeat king, Femi Kuti has said he would go on a binge and get drunk if he wins the Grammy Award come January 2014.
Kuti said this on Sunday, 22 December, at the Encomium White Gig where he was honoured for his 4th Grammy awards nomination on his 2013 masterpiece, No Place for My Dream.
“It’s an honour to be nominated for the Grammy Award for the fourth time. If I win this time around, we would get drunk for this country and if we didn’t, things will remain the same and be happy to have been nominated again out of thousands of entries,” he said.
The 51-year old musician, who was accompanied by his sister, Yeni Kuti and friend, Mallam Abdul Okwechime, to the event was pleasantly surprised as he didn’t have a clue about what was planned at the event.
Days leading to the event, he was not informed about the White Gig event.
According to sources, the pressure on him to adorn the white ensemble was intense as he ignored all pleas, choosing instead the most colourful attire in his wardrobe. He later acknowledged that if he had been told, he would have complied with the dress code.
“I was surprised and feel odd entering this hall and saw people gaily dressed in different white dresses. Nobody told me about the dress code as I would have complied,” the Afrobeat maestro said.
Femi’s citation was read by Ademola Oyinlola, Executive Director, Tell Magazine; Femi Segun, former diplomat, polyglot and master of ceremonies, and Yemi Sodimu, popular actor and broadcaster.
He was full of gratitude for the recognition and emotional as he responded to the citation and honour.
While still on the podium, a special interview session, anchored by the honouree’ sister, Yeni Kuti took all by surprise as she quizzed her brother. With three questions about Femi’s fourth Grammy awards nomination, Yeni decked in white trousers and blouse combo, was turned into a journalist that evening of fun and pleasure.
She cut a picture of professionalism and seriousness as she kept a straight face and fired her questions.
Guests were enthralled at the chemistry and camaraderie between the children of legend of Afro-beat and one of the greatest musicians that ever lived, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
It was a colourful moment at the six-hour extravaganza, which has emerged as the biggest, grandest and classiest white party known in this part of the world.
Celebrating Encomium’s 16th anniversary, the Christmas party was attended by stars of movies and music, television and comedy, as well as entrepreneurs, professionals and politicos.
—Funsho Arogundade