The rhythmic pulse of Afrobeat and the unyielding political consciousness of the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti will once again reverberate through East Yorkshire as Felabration Hull returns for its third consecutive year on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Hosted at Browse Studios in Kingston upon Hull, the landmark event is officially licensed by the Felabration Organising Committee in Lagos, Nigeria. It forms part of the vibrant global movement established in 1998 by Yeni Kuti, the late music icon’s eldest daughter, to celebrate Fela’s life, birthday, and revolutionary cultural footprint every October.

This year’s edition is anchored around the compelling theme Who Are You?, drawn directly from Fela’s classic 1971 track on the London Scene album. While the original recording famously confronted questions of judgment, identity, and authority, the Hull iteration turns that inquiry inward.

It invites a new generation of listeners across the African diaspora to examine what they inherit, what they carry across borders, and what they choose to become.

A Multidimensional Programme at Browse Studios

The 2026 programme unfolds across four immersive parts designed to blend visual art, critical dialogue, and live musical performance. The daytime events begin with The Underground Spiritual Game, a striking photography and art exhibition curated by Fagbemi Osinuga, running from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

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It explores Fela’s global influence and legacy through archival materials and contemporary works, including pieces from Nigerian artist Abolore Sobayo’s Echoes collection.

Following the exhibition, a documentary screening is scheduled for 4:00 pm, offering audiences deeper insight into the historical and cultural magnitude of the Afrobeat movement.

This leads directly into the signature panel discussion titled The Felabration Forum: Who Are You? What We Keep, What We Lose, What We Become, running from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This central conversation will delve into identity, heritage, and belonging within the diaspora, exploring how memories and traditions survive far from home.

The evening culminates in the Felabration Hull Tribute Session, a high-energy live music showcase running from 8:00 pm to 2:00 am to celebrate the timeless sounds that continue to move global audiences.

Bridging Cultures and Inspiring New Audiences

Since its inception in Hull in 2024, with past editions hosted in partnership with institutions like Hull Museums and Wilberforce House Museum, Felabration has grown steadily under the stewardship of cultural curator Fagbemi Osinuga, founder of The Gidi Vibes and Chief Creative Officer of Morpheus Multimedia.

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Osinuga is also a prominent member of the Hull Music Board and was featured in H&H Agency’s Doing Good Stuff project at Humber Street Sesh 2026, which celebrated grassroots creators shaping Hull’s creative scene.

Reflecting on the mission behind the festival, Osinuga emphasized the importance of introducing the man behind the music to contemporary listeners. He noted that making sure Fela’s story continues to reach people who know the sound of Afrobeat today but may not know the man, the ideas, and the movement behind it remains a core priority.

His influence is everywhere, but there is a generation discovering the music without necessarily knowing where that story began, making Felabration essential for introducing Fela to new audiences and asking what his work still has to say to us now.

Browse Studios, operating as a Community Interest Company and serving as the official venue partner for 2026, shares that vision. Mike White, founder of Browse Studios and Browse Magazine, expressed pride in hosting the milestone event, stating that Felabration embodies the exact type of programming the creative space was built to champion.

A Global Icon Honored Anew

The festival arrives on the heels of major international recognition for the Black President. On January 31, 2026, Fela Anikulapo Kuti was posthumously honored with the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.

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The honor was accepted on behalf of the family by Chelsey Green, Femi Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Kunle Kuti, and Shalewa Kuti, cementing his permanent place in global music history.

For fans and researchers tracking the evolution of African music, the festival also draws upon rich historical archives, including iconic photographs of Fela performing on September 13, 1986, at the Party of Humankind of the French Communist Party at La Courneuve in Paris, captured by photographers such as Laurent Rebours for the Associated Press and licensed via Alamy.

These historical touchstones sit alongside original event photography from Felabration Hull 2025 shot by Nile Productions for Morpheus Multimedia, capturing moments like Osinuga opening panel discussions at the Ferens Art Gallery and contributions from artists like Abolore Sobayo, Tolu Olafimihan, and musical performances by AbidemiSax.

With daytime events, including the exhibition, documentary screening, and Forum, offered free to the public, and the evening tribute session welcoming ticketed guests, Felabration Hull 2026 promises to cement further a visible, thriving African cultural presence in Yorkshire and beyond.