Talk Is That Jay-z Backed Off Broadway Musical "FELA!!!!!!!"

by **J The Kidd** Sat Sep 27, 2008 2:35 am

The New York Post's Michael Riedel reports Jay-Z and ?uestlove are
in talks to get the Hip Hop mogul to endorse Bill T. Jones'
biographical stage production, Fela! Riedel says Jay-Z's endorsement
could vary from just mentioning the musical, to possibly financially
backing it, as Oprah Winfrey did with the stage adaptation of Alice
Walker's The Color Purple.

The show chronicles the life of Afro-beat pioneer Fela
Anikulapo-Kuti, and it has been drawing positive review since opening
on Sept. 4. According to one of Riedel's unnamed sources, Jay-Z and
?uestlove are deciding exactly how to parlay the rapper's taste making
prowess into increased interest in the show.

"Let me put it to you this way," Riedel's anonymous source says. "If
Jay-Z starts talking up the show anywhere, there are going to be a lot
of people outside the theater every night."

No details have emerged about how Jay-Z's position as co-chairman at
Steve Stoute's ad agency, Translation Advertising, would factor in to
his support of the musical.

"It's unclear if he'd invest in the show--probably not, one source
says--but he could give it his seal of approval," says Riedel. "And
with a hefty media empire at his disposal, a nod from him would create
immense interest in the show."

Fela! is currently playing at 37 Arts in New York. Additional information is available at the official website.