Giant of African Music - Who is Fela Kuti?
Text: mmr｜Theme: The life and music of Fela Kuti
Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì (1938–1997) was a Nigerian musician, activist, and founder of Afrobeat.Their unique sound, which blends jazz, funk, highlife, and Yoruba music, had an immense influence on world music in the second half of the 20th century. His music was not just entertainment, but a political statement denouncing military rule and injustice, and a symbol of resistance despite numerous arrests and violence.
Life and musical evolution
Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì was born in Abeokuta in 1938 and received his musical education in London before returning to Nigeria in the late 1960s and creating his own musical language, combining blues/jazz/funk/highlife with traditional rhythms.It became more political during the Koola Lobitos period in the 1960s and Africa ‘70 in the 1970s, and later developed into formations such as Egypt 80.
Fela’s music is characterized by long (10 to 30 minute) repetitive grooves, strong horn sections, polyrhythms, and direct messages in pidgin English.Drummer Tony Allen was an integral part of the formation of Afrobeats, and his drumming laid the foundation for the genre.
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Political and cultural activities
Fela declared his mansion the ``Kalakuta Republic’’ and operated it as a community, studio, and theatrical space.There have been repeated harsh criticisms of the military government, and there are many incidents of attacks, detentions, and torture by the police and military (one famous incident is the “Expensive Shit” anecdote).While these combative stances have made him Nigeria’s “voice of the voiceless,” they have also come at a physical cost.
Typical periodizations and musical highlights
London period → recording in the US → establishment in Africa ‘70 → political peak in the mid-1970s → activity and suppression from the 1980s onwards, and died in 1997 (the cause of death is reported to be complications/AIDS-related).
Bands/producers involved/people around them
Koola Lobitos (early) → Africa ’70 (most iconic configuration) → Egypt 80 (configuration after 1980).Although the members change each season, it is characterized by a large household composition of horn section, chorus, and rhythm section.
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Tony Allen: Drummer who co-created Afrobeat rhythms.His death (2020) was a great loss to the genre, but the core of Afrobeats remains.
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Anecdote/Legend
“Expensive Shit” Incident: Fela took advantage of the incident in which the police allegedly planted a marijuana joint as a pretext for arrest and turned it into a song (album ``Expensive Shit’’).This story is passed down as an anecdote that symbolizes Fela’s anti-establishment image.
Kalakuta Attack and Mother’s Death: The incident in which Fela’s mother was allegedly injured when Kalakuta was attacked by the military became the driving force behind her later songs and activities.
Fela Kuti album commentary by age group
1960s: Koola Lobitos period
- 『The ‘69 Los Angeles Sessions』 This is his early work after studying abroad in London, and focuses on jazz and highlife.A work where you can hear the beginnings of what was before Afrobeat.
Early 1970s: Afrobeat establishment period
- Gentleman (1973) A masterpiece that criticizes colonialism.A social message is added to the funk groove.
- “Confusion” (1975) A 20-minute long song that figuratively depicts the urban chaos in Lagos.
Late 1970s: Political peak
- “Expensive Shit” (1975) A masterpiece that takes advantage of the false marijuana conviction case by the police.Includes representative song “Water No Get Enemy”.
- Zombie (1977) A provocative work that criticizes the military by calling them “zombies.”As a result, it became the trigger for the attack on Kalakuta Republic.
- Sorrow Tears and Blood (1977) A powerful song that denounces military oppression and bloodshed.
1980s: Egypt 80s
- Underground System (1989) A late masterpiece with long rhythms and a clear horn section.
- Beasts of No Nation (1989) A harsh criticism of world leaders.It also attracted international attention.
1990s: Late years
- Mainly active in live albums and edited albums.Even as his health deteriorated, he continued to send out musical messages.
Recommended albums (with purchase link)
| Year | Album | Commentary | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | The ‘69 Los Angeles Sessions | Experimental work with strong early jazz + high life vibes | Amazon |
| 1973 | Gentleman | Criticism of colonialism and the perfection of Afrobeat | Amazon |
| 1975 | Expensive Shit | A masterpiece that takes advantage of a famous false accusation case | Amazon |
| 1977 | Zombie | Sharply criticizes the military government, resulting in the attack on Kalakuta | Amazon |
| 1989 | Underground System | Egypt 80’s mature Afrobeat | Amazon |
Chronology of the Kalakuta Raid
Album "Zombie" released
Calling the military "zombies" became a hot topic"] B["1977-02
Military raids Kalakuta Republic (Fela community and studio)"] C["1977-02
My mother was thrown from a building and seriously injured (later died)"] D["1977-03
Fela carries coffin to military headquarters to protest"] E["1978-1980
After that, he was repeatedly arrested and suppressed"] A --> B B --> C C --> D D --> E
Femi Kuti and Soon Kuti—Heirs to the Legacy
Femi Kuti
Born in 1962.Fela’s eldest son.
He has developed contemporary Afrobeats through solo works such as “Shoki Shoki” and “Africa for Africa.”
While deepening his jazz elements, he has inherited his father’s politics.
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Seun Kuti
Born in 1983.Fela’s youngest son.
He led the Egyptian 80s and directly inherited his father’s style.
“Black Times” (2018) also intersects with hip-hop and rock.
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Current legacy and reputation
Kalakuta Museum (Lagos): Fela’s former mansion turned into a museum.Relics and musical instruments are on display.
Felabration: A music festival held every October.Artists from all over the world gather to celebrate Fela.
International influences: Antibalas in America, sampling in hip-hop, even Beyoncé and Jay-Z have cited the rhythm of Fela.
summary
Fela Kuti was not only the “father of Afrobeats” but also a symbol of political resistance through music.That legacy continues to be reflected through his sons Femi Kuti and Soon Kuti, and in the work of artists around the world.
If you want to learn more about Afrobeat, we recommend starting with Gentleman,''Expensive Shit,’’ and ``Zombie.’’
The words and rhythms of Fela still echo in the breezes of Lagos and on the stages of the world.
Reference/Source
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