I remember the first time I met Lemi Ghariokwu. I was in high school, way back in 1997, and my dad had helped me publish my first comic book called – Panther Assault (I was a teenager that watched too many macho Van Damme and Stallone movies. Now, picture the comic :)). There was some sort of parent – teacher event, and my high school was kind enough to allow me to sell my comic. Lemi’s kids attended the same school and he came by to my booth and bought a comic. He mentioned he was an artist too but the name didn’t ring a bell at the time. We chatted for a bit, and he gave me a simple piece of advice “keep drawing”. It was one of those moment’s that stuck.
Years later, I was doing some research on Fela Kuti and I learned Lemi was Fela’s artist. In 2014, I got a chance to meet him again at his studio in Lagos, and man, he’s one of those rare souls that’s just pure inspiration.
Anyway, Lemi is one of the pioneers of the Afro-pop genre, he’s an amazing artist, and great guy. I have much love and respect for your work sir, and how you inspire the rest of us starting out… Read more
From Jibola Fagbemi’s Facebook Page posted February 15th
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