Jay-Z, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith Back 'Fela!'

FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2008 file photo, rapper Jay-Z performs at the grand reopening of the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file)

(AP)

It's official: After weeks of speculation, Jay-Z and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have joined the producing team of the Broadway musical "Fela!" (feh-LAH')

Jay-Z told The Associated Press last month that he might be getting involved in the show, an Afrobeat musical about the life of Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (ah-knee-coo-LAH'-po coo-TEE'). Now producers say he and the Smiths are in, though there's no word on how much of a financial investment the three have made in the show.

"Fela!" is now in previews at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and opens next Monday. It's directed and choreographed by Bill T. Jones.

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