Will Smith and Jay-z put Afrobeats on Broadway

Are you familiar with Afrobeat music? Well Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Jay-Z hope that you want to find out.

Afrobeat is a style of music that originated from Nigeria in the 1970's. It was created by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who traveled the world introducing this music to various artists and fans. Fela Kuti was so influential that when he died in 1997 a million people came to the funeral, literally.

But the influence of Fela Kuti did not end with his death. An Off-Broadway play, called Fela!, has carried on the music and inspiration of the man. It also provides a honest look at who he was, including his simultaneous marriage to 27 women and his problems with the Nigerian authorities.

The play has done well enough that it will be opening on Broadway in a week. But it was lacking producers and financial backing. That is where Jay-z and the Smith's come in. They have now signed on as co-producers of the play. Which I call putting your money where your heart is.

Given the star power of Jay-z and the Smith's, it is likely that the play will gain a big boost to it's publicity and probably to the revenues and ticket sales. But the question of the play making back the money the celebrities invested is unknown as no details of how much they have put in has been stated. Considering the business successes of the celebrities, I have to believe that whatever the amount they will make it back.

If you are wondering what Afrobeat music sounds like and who Fela Kuti was, I found this on youtube. It's a video of Fela Kuti performing in 1971. It kind of reminds me of James Brown mixed with jazz.