I’m pretty sure everyone is agitated to confirm their suspicion of the legendary Afrobeat King Fela Anikulapo Kuti as being the father of fast growing Afro pop icon Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy.
Who is Damini Ogulu “burna Boy’s” father?
The truth is Fela was indeed Burna boy’s father, from a musical orientation, but not his biological father. Damini was born into a bombastic music loving home. His father Samuel Ogulu was a Jazz lover and an occasional singer too (aside managing a welding company). His mother Bose Ogulu (née Idonije) was once a dancer for Fela and the daughter of a famous icon of Nigerian journalism Benson Idonije.
Burna boy’s grandfather was a broadcaster and music critic known for being the first band manager of Fela Kuti. Little wonder his daughter Bose Ogulu became a Kalakuta dancer and radio translator. He (Burna’s grandfather) is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most revered music critics, and was part of the pioneering group of broadcasters who started Radio Nigeria 2 (now Metro FM) in 1977.
In 2012, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism awarded Benson Idonije the Life Time Award for Journalism Excellence.
On June 19 2016, media experts, business personalities and friends gathered to honour singer Burna Boy’s grandfather Benson Idonije – who was Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s first manager – as he turned 80. A clip of the event where Pa Idonije was seen praying for Burna immediately went viral and caused social media users to wrongfully state that “parents and grandparents are willing to pray for any successful child regardless of what they do for a leaving.”
To better understand the importance of Damini’s grandfather, his 80th birthday celebration was a week-long event featuring paper presentations and musical performances organized by the Committee of Relevant Arts and Culture Advocates Caucus in several parts of Lagos including the Ojo campus of the Lagos State University, Freedom Park, Broad Street and the MUSON Centre.
Benson Idonije has also published books.
Damini Ogulu is the only son and second child of Samuel and Bose Ogulu. And also the grandson of legendary journalist and Fela Band manager Benson Idonije. It is no surprise that Pa Idonije is also Burna boy’s music director.
So is Fela the real father of Burna boy?
Source: Omoawori Update
