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Fela Kuti Fela is a man of contradictions. This is what makes him so intriguing. People who love him accept the flaws in him. His songs are often longer than 20 minutes and are sung in a thick Pidgin English that is almost incomprehensible. His music is influenced by Christian hymns and jazz, classical music, Yoruba singing, and horn-andguitar heavy highlife. He was a musician Fela Kuti embodied that music can be used to change the world. He used his music to advocate for social and political changes, and his influence is present in the world today. His musical style, Afrobeat, is a blend of African and Western influences. Its roots are in West-African music and funk. However it has evolved into a completely new genre. His political activism was ferocious and he took action without fear. He utilized his music as a protest against corruption in the government and human rights violations. Songs such as “Zombie”, “Coffin for the State Head” and others were blatant criticisms of Nigeria's dictatorship. He also made use of Kalakuta as a venue to gather like-minded people and to promote political activism. The production features a huge portrait of his late mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who was a prominent feminist activist and feminist pioneer. The actress who portrays her is Shantel Cribbs, who has successfully depicted her importance in the life of Fela. The play also highlights her political activism. Despite her declining health she refused to be checked for AIDS and instead chose traditional treatments. He was a singer Fela Ransome-Kuti was a multifaceted man who used his music to facilitate political change. He is renowned for his creation of afrobeat – a fusion of dirty funk with traditional African rhythms. He was also a fervent critic of Nigeria's political and religious leaders. Having been raised by an anti-colonial feminist mother and a feminist father, it's not a surprise that Fela was interested in social commentary and politics. His parents had hoped that he would be a doctor but he had other ideas. A trip to America changed his outlook forever. Exposure to Black power movements and leaders such as Malcolm X and Eldridge Cleaver would have a profound influence on his music. He developed an African-centric philosophy that would influence and guide his later work. He was a songwriter Fela encountered Black Power activists such as Stokely Carmichael, and Malcolm X during his time in the United States. The experience inspired him to start an organization called the Movement of the People, and to compose songs that reflected his views on political activism and black consciousness. His philosophies were publicly expressed by yabis – a type of public speaking that he called “freedom expression”. He also started to impose an ethical code of conduct on his band. This included refusing to take medication from Western-trained medical professionals. After his return to Nigeria Fela began building his own club and the Shrine in Ikeja. The frequent raids by officers and police were nearly constant. His hangers-on from Mosholashi-Idi-Oro repopulated the area around the club with hard drugs, especially “bana” and “yamuna” (heroin). But despite this, Fela kept his integrity unshaken. His music speaks of his determination to challenge authority and ensuring that the desires of the masses are recognized in official goals. It is an amazing legacy that will endure for generations to come. He was a poet Fela's music used sarcasm and humor to bring attention to the political and economic issues in Nigeria. He also mocked his fans, the government, and himself. In these shows, he would refer to himself as “the big fish in the small pond.” These jokes were not taken lightly by the authorities and he suffered repeated arrests and beatings in the hands of the authorities. He was eventually given the name Anikulapo which means “he has his body in his purse.” In 1977, Fela recorded a song called “Zombie,” which compared soldiers to mindless zombies who were able to follow orders without hesitation. The military was offended by this and conducted a raid on Kalakuta Republic. They burned the place down and beat its inhabitants. During the raid, Fela’s mother was thrown from her second-floor apartment through a window. In the decades after Nigeria's independence, Fela created Afrobeat, an genre of music that blended jazz with native African rhythm. His songs criticized European culture imperialism and supported African traditional religions and cultures. He also criticized fellow Africans for betraying their country's tradition. He stressed the importance of freedom and human rights. He was a rapper Fela Anikulapo Kuti, trumpeter and saxophonist, was born in Abeokuta in 1938. He is a pioneer in Afrobeat music. He grew up listening to jazz music, rock and roll and traditional African music and chants, which helped form his style of music. After a trip to the United States in 1969, Fela met Sandra Smith, an activist from the Black Power movement and her ideas affected his work profoundly. When he returned to Nigeria, Fela began using his music as a tool for political purposes. He criticized the government in his home country and insisted that African culture should not be diluted by Western sensibilities. He also wrote about social inequities and human rights violations and was often detained for his criticism of the military. Fela was also a fervent advocate of marijuana in Africa that is also known as “igbo”. He often held public debates at Afrika Shrine, which he referred to as “yabis” where he would slam government officials and promote his beliefs on freedom of expression and the beauty of women's bodies. Fela also had a group of women in his youth, who performed in his shows and served as vocal backups to him. He was a dancer Fela was a master of musical fusion. He fused elements of beat music, and highlife to create his own unique style. He was a prominent African musician and a vocal critic of colonial ruling. Despite being snatched and tortured by the Nigerian military junta and witnessing his mother killed, Fela refused to leave the country. He died in 1997 from AIDS-related complications. Fela was a political activist who was critical of the oppressive Nigerian government and believed in the principles of Pan Africanism. His albums, such as 1973's Gentleman focused on the oppression of both government and colonial forces. He also pushed for black-power and decried Christianity, Islam and other non-African influences for dividing the people of Africa. Shuffering and Smiling is the title track of the album released in 1978. It describes crowded public transports filled with poor workers, “shuffering and smiling”. Fela was a fierce anti-religious hypocrisy. The music of Fela was also complemented by his dancers who were lively elegant, sensual, and beautiful. Their contributions to the performance were as significant as the words Fela used. He was an activist in the political arena. Fela Kuti used music as a weapon to challenge unjust authorities. He steered his knowledge of American jazz and funk to African styles and rhythms, resulting in an edgy sound that was prepared for a fight. The majority of his songs begin as simmering instrumentals, slowly layering small riffs and melodies until they explode in a flash of vigor. In contrast to many artists who were afraid to speak out about their politics, Fela was fearless and unbending. He stood up for what he believed in, even when it was risky. His mother, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was a prominent feminist who led the Nigerian Women's Movement. His father was a protestant minister as well as the teacher's union president. fela law firm founded Kalakuta Republic, a commune and recording studio that was a symbol of resistance. The government raided the commune, destroying the property and hurting Fela badly. He refused to back down however, and continued to voice his opinion against the government. He died from complications of AIDS in 1997. His son Femi continues to carry his legacy of music and politics. He was a father Music is often viewed as a form of political protest, with musicians using lyrics to solicit change. Some of the most powerful musical demonstrations are not supported by words. Fela Kuti is among these artists and his music resonates today. He was the first to pioneer Afrobeat which combines traditional African rhythms and harmonies, with funk and jazz, inspired by artists like James Brown. Fela's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was an activist and unionist who fought against colonialism. She helped form the Abeokuta Women's Union and fought against gender-discriminatory taxation laws. She also studied marxism and believed in the idea of a Nigeria which served its entire population. Seun Fela's son is carrying the legacy of his father through the band Egypt 80. The band will be touring the globe this year. The music of Egypt 80 combines the sound of Fela and a scathing critique of the power structures that exist today. Black Times will be released at the end March. Many fans attended the funeral in Tafawa Balewa square. The crowd was so large that police had to shut down the entrance to the location.