ADSactly Music - Artist Spotlight - Fela Kuti, The Legend

in #music7 years ago

Artist Spotlight - Fela Kuti, The Legend

How does one see a star that burned so bright? You don't, you listen.

FELA KUTI

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His name inspires awe amongst fellow musicians and the public alike. Fela Anikulapo Kuti, otherwise know as Fela Kuti (or just Fela), has been credited with the invention of the Afrobeat genre, which is synonymous with Africa, in particular, Nigeria, and has subsequently been a huge influence on scores of musicians as time went by.

While taking nothing away from Fela himself, it must also be noted that the drummer who joined his band, Tony Allen, with his unique take on rhythm, was integral in forming this new genre with him.

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Tony Allen & Fela with the band, Africa 70

BEFORE THE RISE

Fela was born in 1938 to a feminist activist mother and a reverend father in a relatively well-to-do family, which afforded him the opportunity to study music at the Trinity College of Music in London. Although he was originally focused on the trumpet as his main instrument at Trinity College, much of his success could also be attributed to his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist on keyboards, trumpet, saxophone, and percussion, as this afforded him a greater understanding of the "bigger picture" that he was working towards musically. While in the UK, he started a band called Koola Lobitos. One can very much hear the beginning of the Afrobeat sound developing in this earlier material as Fela mixed highlife and jazz.


He was an innovator, a man of dreams and passions, and a committed activist.

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Album artwork from before Fela dropped the name "Ransome" from his double-barrel last name, as that part of his name had slave origins

WHAT IS AFROBEAT?

Afrobeat was the name of the particular brand of music that formed when African musicians - particularly Fela and his team - in an attempt to distinguish their own style of soul or funk from that of their Amerian counterparts, incorporated elements of some of the local genres, such as highlife and juju, into the sounds of soul, jazz, funk and psychedelic rock. After just a few seconds into any Afrobeat track, it's easy to hear the difference between this "Afro-funk" and a more American funk. The emphasis on vocal chants, the harmonies, the complex and powerful rhythms, and the often politically charged lyric-content all serve to make Afrobeat into a genre unto itself that still carries relevance today.

Water No Get Enemy

To try and get an idea of how much of an impact Fela had on the world - not just the general public, but fellow musicians as well, I've decided to link to this article by OkayAfrica. Here's one clip shared from their site where none other than Sir Paul McCartney talks about and gives his respect to the greatness that was Fela Kuti.

POLITICAL ACTIVISM

It's hard not to talk about music from the 1970's in Africa without mentioning the politics of the African continent at the time. Many countries were still under the yoke of colonial rule or had recently gained independence. Nigeria had gained independence in 1963, but as a very young, independent country, it was still experiencing deep issues, especially after a civil war in 1967 and heavy-handed, oppressive military rule.

During a 1969 tour of the USA, Fela was exposed to the politics and activism of those like Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party. This seemed to form a turning point in his career when it came to what he chose to center his lyrics around, and upon his return to Nigeria, he embarked on a creative war with the government, bravely speaking out about their human rights abuses and terribly corrupt practices.

At the time, Nigeria was ruled by "The Supreme Military Council" (they don't sound nice, do they?) they were in power from 1966 until 1979.

Fela and his band, Afrika 70, wrote and performed about the issues that plagued their country. Probably the most notable confrontation between any government in the world and a single musician was that between Fela and the Nigerian military government. The confrontation came to a boiling point in 1976 when Africa 70 release the track "Zombie", which described the mindset and actions of those mindless souls in the Army.

Zombie no go go, unless you tell am to go (Zombie)
Zombie no go stop, unless you tell am to stop (Zombie)
Zombie no go turn, unless you tell am to turn (Zombie)
Zombie no go think, unless you tell am to think (Zombie)
Tell them to go straight
A joro, jara, joro
No break, no job, no sense
A joro, jara, joro
Tell them to go kill
A joro, jara, joro

The track was a hit across Africa. A track that ridiculed the military, and a proxy attack on the government. They were furious and reciprocated with a force that could only be explained by a guilty and wounded pride.
Sending 1000 soldiers to Fela's Kalakuta compound in a massive show of aggression, they sacked the compound, burnt it down, beat the men and raped the women. His own mother was thrown out of a second story window ​and died after spending several weeks in a coma.

Think about that for a second. A thousand armed men, sent to teach a lesson to a musician and his followers.

Fela was a hero to so many ordinary people. He was much more than a singer and an entertainer. He attempted to use his fame and the massive voice he had created as a force for good.
He was once quite vocal about running for president ​and would say that his first act would be to make every citizen a police officer. He said that ​"Then before a policeman could slap you, he would have to think twice because you're a policeman, too."

After Afrika 70 he formed Egypt 80, which was very much a statement in and of itself that Egypt was a part of Africa. Its little wonder Fela was known​ as the "Black President".


Fela Kuti and the Egypt 80, live at Zenith, Paris 1984

If you've enjoyed listening to Fela Kuti and are keen to explore some more of the genre, check out some of these artists:

  • Femi Kuti
  • Ebo Taylor
  • Tony Allen
  • Seun Kuti
  • Mulatu Astatke
  • King Sunny Ade
  • Manu Dibango

If you want to check out Fela's extensive Discography click the link.

Authored by @heypapalegend

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Thank You

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I Love Fela! I often work to his music, a true love warrior :D

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Beautiful work!

Thank you @heypapalegend ✊🏽

Nice concept

Very Informative post as usual .

Not replying directly to you mate. Just had to place this here.

Nigeria had gained independence in 1963

No, Nigeria gained independence in 1960

Cc: @adsactly @vcelier @heypapalegend

Correct Nigeria gained her independence on October 1st 1960. It became a Republic (whatever that means ) in 1963

Not sure if the question in brackets is meant seriously but a republic is a state headed by a president (elected or nominated) rather than ruled over by a monarch. Following independence Elizabeth II acted as nominal Queen of Nigeria until the establishment of the Federal Republic in '63.

Thanks so that is what changed. I see I never thought anything important was associated with the tag at least for Nigeria. I am sure I must have known that while in school and it's paled into insignificance over the year. Thanks for the reminder.

You're very welcome, sir. My second sentence makes me look like some great expert on Nigerian history, which I'm not - I looked that bit up. :o)

Thanks very much for the correction. I mistakenly put in the republic date and not the independence date.

@heavenly-ideas.. Not just informative. The post is about one of the musical legends of all time, someone i regard in the class of Bob Marley and Elvis Presley.

He created his own style of music and was also a leader who speaks for the rights of people all over Africa.

Long live the Great Fella

I think comparing Fela to other greats like Bob Marley is absolutely spot on! 😊

One thing about Fela is that he is loved by everyone both old and young. He is a Legend.

The older generation did NOT love Fela they thought of him as "weed" smoker and all the stigmas attached to smoking weed. His having many wives and his own religion did not help his case with the orthodox christian adults then.

Yeah, 27 or so wives may have been a bit excessive. :D

It was a reflection of the stupidity of the society to respect only married women so to ensure his women were respected he married them all. excessive yes, but he always did things to make o political statement.

But he did have his reasons.

But we all know he is a Legend.

Baba 70 is the greatest! Such a fearless man!

Sad most thing he was talking about are still happening.

I wish Nigeria has more musicians like him and not more singing about boobs, yawns, alcohol, cars and so on. And claiming to follow Fela's footstep.

Lol- if you remove these subjects there would be nothing for the musicians to sing. Especially since they stopped singing about "free Mandela" and apartheid way back so its all about the "good life" now

People will say anything for the greens...brvh look deeper,we gat lots of them brvh.real men in the music industry here in nigeria!

Absolutely. We need more real musicians producing music because it comes from the soul and s need to produce, and not just for drugs and women.

Reading your post I could tell this guy became inspiration for other fellow musicians especially in Africa. I’m certain that part of his success were his parents. They could give him all that he needed to explore his amazing talent as a multi-instrumentalist on keyboards and his believes.

He was an innovator, a man of dreams and passions, and a committed activist

I can certainly say that his Afrobeat style is very interesting. It’s a huge honor hearing Paul McCartney talking about FELA KUTI and giving his respect. What an honor. I could tell that FELA KUTI and his band were frustrated with the Nigerian military government. I thing he got this after his mom as a feminist activist. His frustration made them release the track “Zombie” ridiculing the military, and a proxy attack on the government. And the government’s answer?...

Sending 1000 soldiers to Fela's Kalakuta compound in a massive show of aggression, they sacked the compound, burnt it down, beat the men and raped the women. His own mother was thrown out of a second story window and died after spending several weeks in a coma.

Yes I thought about that. The way the government used its corrupt power to teach person who wants a freedom in his country a lesson. Fela is a hero of his country and he will become a legend.
Sad, but inspirational story!

A huge influence on SOOOO many! Thanks for the comment!

Music is good for people's mind, and your posts are very beautiful thanks for sharing

Fela...one of the best that has come from africa. He is a man loved by all and sundry.

Fela married all the 27 ladies that dance for him then, what was his reason? he said he knew no one would want to marry them hence he decided to marry them. He married them all in one day.

He is such a lovely man. it was reported that none of those women suffered while he was alive.

FELA..THE GREATEST ARTIST FROM AFRICA

Haha yes he did. Its so interesting, his thinking behind marrying all those women. I decided not to include the information in the article though as it would have needed a whole different section, and I felt it would have taken away from the message about his music.

Arguably the best musician to ever emerge from this continent(africa). His music is still relevant today as most of his words and sayings in some of his music is still relatable with what is obtained now. He is a prophet . One who saw the ills and the length of the cancer called people in power has infected Nigerians with. He talked the talk and walked the walk. He is ABAMI EDA....... The mystery one.

Bravo! Thanks for the comment :)

nice post

Herperfect singer..ihave no comments for his singer life

He made great impact with his life and skills. His time is up and we are still talking about him. I recommend you make yours count so when you are done someone some where would consider it important to have an opinion on your life.

Do you think there's something wrong with talking about him still? I'm just wondering.

Absolutely not. I just saying lets us make our own lives and gifts count as well

I really was not expecting to be impressed by this write up, but you did a great job. Its not easy to write an article on such a great persanality without leaving out something important.

Haha. Thanks. Yup, it was actually quite daunting. I wanted to do something on Nigeria because some of our readers have been requesting that - especially after my Ghana piece - and was going to write about two artists. It then seemed almost sinful to have another artist on the same write-up as Fela. But, I was still quite nervous doing this. I still got one or two things slightly wrong, which some others have happily pointed out. haha.