Fela Kuti’s legacy celebrated with new scholarship at London’s Trinity Laban

23 March 2021 - Press release

Scholarship Funded by Partisan Records

 

Awarded in memory of the Trinity Laban alum, political activist and musician, The Fela Anikulapo-Kuti scholarship will enable aspiring jazz trumpeter Alex Polack to continue his studies at Trinity Laban for the academic year 2021/22. The scholarship is generously funded by Partisan Records and supported by The Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Estate. 

Recently nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Fela Kuti (1938-1997) studied composition and trumpet performance at Trinity Laban (then Trinity College of Music), arriving in 1958. He went on to become one of the World’s best-loved musicians, producer, political radical, arranger, outlaw, and inventor of the Afrobeat sound which continues to be a major influence on today’s charts. Through his music and his activism, Fela also became a leading figure within Nigerian and pan-African politics. 

Funded by Partisan Records in celebration of Fela’s remarkable legacy, the new scholarship will support current first year jazz student Alex Polack. Like Fela, Birmingham-born Alex studies trumpet performance. The scholarship, awarded on merit to a talented musician from African or of African heritage following nominations from the conservatoire’s Heads of Jazz and Composition, will enable Alex to continue studying on the conservatoire’s BMus Jazz degree programme. 

In addition to the financial award, Alex will be benefit from bespoke artistic and industry focused mentoring from Partisan Records and Fela’s grandson Made Kuti, who is a fellow Trinity Laban alum. 

Trinity Laban Director of Music Havilland Willshire said, “I’m thrilled to announce this gift from Partisan Records and The Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Estate. The new scholarship furthers Trinity Laban’s commitment to widening access for talented and dedicated students like Alex Polack and honours an incredible musical and political figure who is part of our innovative and creative community.”

Partisan Records said,"Through his music and activism, Fela build his legacy upon the ideas of giving back to the community, inspiring creativity and curiosity, and pushing boundaries. This scholarship is a prime example of one of the many ways this legacy continues to live on and inspire young people to this day. We’re proud to help bring this opportunity to Alex and hopefully future Trinity Laban students. We also look forward to instilling some of Partisan’s own industry expertise and experience into the next generation of creative minds."

Made Kuti said, “My time at Trinity Laban really allowed me a lot of creative space to experiment and explore my sound with a lot of guidance and support from a very passionate and accomplished staff. It played a major role in helping me see just how much there is to investigate and discover in music and has of course influenced how I've explored the music of my father and grandfather I have consumed for so long, and how I express myself through my own music.”

2021 also marks the 50^th anniversary of some of Fela’s most beloved recordings, including his album ‘London Scene’ as well as the legendary record he made with Ginger Baker of Cream. Special versions of each will be reissued later this year via Partisan Records. 2021 will also see the release of the fifth installment on an ongoing vinyl reissue box set series (previous volumes have been curated by Erykah Badu, Questlove, and Brian Eno). More information on all upcoming Fela releases in to be announced soon.

Fela also currently leads all 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees on the official “fan ballot” leaderboard. Fela is nominated alongside other varied and esteemed artists such as Jay-Z, Tina Turner, Rage Against The Machine, Foo Fighters, + more. If elected, Kuti would become just the second African-born member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Inductees will be announced in May, and the 2021 Induction Ceremony will take place in Cleveland this fall.