Hi, I’m J.J. Brown, an official FELA! Ambassador, and this is the story of how I became a part of the prestigious FELA! family: A few months ago my best friend Danny got married, and I was honored to be his best man. He is a serious drummer and a fan of the fine arts, but he had only ever been to one Broadway show, so I thought it would be a fitting surprise to him for all the groomsmen to take him to sit front row at FELA! on Broadway.
Our trip to the Eugene O’Neill theatre the night before his big day was a huge success, as he was thoroughly impressed with the energetic portrayal of Fela’s life story. For me, it hit home even harder . . . as an urban music producer, I pride myself on originality through creativity, and that famous chant, “Original No Artificiality” stuck with me well beyond the next day’s proceedings.
I’m a newlywed as well, and a few weeks later it was my new mother-in-law’s birthday. I once read that an experience makes far more of an impact than a traditional physical gift, so I came up with the idea of taking her and my father-in-law to the show.
I was back in the Eugene O’Neill theatre, which has been successfully re-imagined as Fela’s famed Afrika Shrine Nightclub, for my second viewing of this phenomenal production. The next day I received an email about the FELA! Ambassadors program, a grassroots campaign to promote this award-winning production.
I spend a large portion of my time promoting the artists I work with, in an attempt to make the general public aware of creative frontrunners, who work hard to change the current landscape of cookie-cutter celebrities. To put it plainly, my parents filled my childhood with an uncanny amount of exposure to the notable happenings on the Great White Way, and pairing that with my current career, I felt compelled to join a situation that would put me right in the middle of spreading the word for a cast and crew that has every right to be heard. The Tony Awards did their part in recognizing this powerful artistic force, and so could I, given the chance. I jumped at the chance to be a part of the FELA! Ambassadors program.
I have now seen the show a few more times, I’ve met the cast and the show’s producers, and I can honestly say that there has never been a group of more genuine artistic folks who have found the respect they deserve on the world’s premiere stage. From the sound engineers, to the dancers, to the spotlight operators, this show is comprised of amazing people who not only do a proper service to Broadway, but also to the legacy that the late great Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Fela, “he who carries death in his pouch” has earned his place on the Broadway stage. His spirit will never die.
Now another music legend, Ms. Patti Labelle, is joining the cast as Fela’s mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
Do yourself a favor and experience this life-changing event! You can use my discount code FEAMB05for steep ticket discounts.
Sincerely,
J.J. Brown
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