Fela’s Graphic Artist, Lemi Ghariokwu Impacts Creatives At 70
Lemi Ghariokwu who added finesse and graphic meaning to hit songs of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti, has continued to soldier on with his brand on artistic designs.
The great man and thought leader has told his stories on canvas and sleeves of musicians albums. Lemi who joined the roll call of Septuagenarian artiste on December 26, 2025, gets better in his works like old wine.
Having met Fela at a young age, Lemi got the nod of the Abami Eda to use his artistic talent to add meaning to his musical works. His imprint is in other works including Austen-Peters’ Fela And Kalakuta Queens musical and Falz’s ‘Moral Instructions’ album.
The now 70-year old genius is still doing what he loves best – support the creatives and preach the message of Africa’s Liberation.
Days ago, Lemi Ghariokwu posted his thoughts as seen on his Instagram handle @lemighariokwu: Today, I’m opening a window back to a photoshoot I did over a decade ago. But this isn’t just about the images—it’s about the spirit behind the idea. As we dive into these old photos, you’re not just seeing a piece of my career history—you’re getting a peek into creative times I’ve had when surrounded by same kinds of vibrant, hyper-stimulating folks who turn every shared moment into a story worth telling.
”In 2010, during my visit in the United States, International Seismographer, Samaila Dan-Gargajiya approached me with an unexpected proposal. He asked me to become the model for five album covers he selected: four by Fela Kuti and one by Tony Allen.
”My practice had always been to direct others, and shape poses into drawings. This time, the roles reversed. I stepped into the frame, as the model, inhabiting the body of the original cover art. The resulting images function as remix cover art: my face replacing the original model’s face, while the spirit and structure of the source material remain intact. In this exchange, authorship, identity, and representation fold into one another, producing a layered conversation between homage, reinterpretation, and self-portrait.
”I’ve always believed that some snapshots in time are like footprints left for posterity and legacy. I’m sharing these images publicly for the very first time. Let’s step inside.’
Concept and execution was by
Samaila Dan Gargajiya, Photography by Justin Francis and Model: Lemi Ghariokwu
