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Fela Kuti The life of Fela is full of contradictions, and that's a large part of what makes him so captivating. People who love him can accept his flaws. His songs are typically longer than 20 minutes and are sung in a dense Pidgin English that is almost incomprehensible. His music is inspired by Christian hymns, jazz, classical music, Yoruba singing, and horn-andguitar heavy highlife. He was a musician Fela Kuti embodied the idea that music is an instrument for change. His music was used to argue for social, political and economic changes. His influence is present today. Afrobeat is a style of music that blends African and Western influences. Its roots lie in West-African hip-life music and funk however, it has evolved into a distinct style. His political activism was ferocious and unflinching. He utilized his music as a protest against government corruption and human rights abuses. Songs like “Zombie”, “Coffin for the State Head” and others were bold critiques of Nigeria's regime. He also used his residence, Kalakuta Republic, as an enclave for political activism and a gathering place for people who were like-minded. The play includes a large portrait of his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who was a prominent feminist activist and pioneer of the feminist movement. She is played by actress Shantel Cribbs, who successfully depicted her importance in the life of Fela. The play also explores her political activism. Despite her declining health she refused to be tested for AIDS and instead opted for traditional medicine. He was a singer Fela Ransome Kuti was a complex individual who utilized music to bring about political change. He is credited as the originator of afrobeat, an energetic mix of funk, dirty and traditional African rhythms. He was a fierce critic of Nigeria's religious and political leaders. His mother was a suffragist against colonialism, so it is not surprising that he has a love for political commentaries and social commentary. His parents had hoped that he would be a doctor however, there were other goals for him. While he started in a more apolitical highlife fashion, a trip in America changed his outlook forever. His music was greatly influenced by his exposure to Black Power movements and the leadership like Eldridge Clever and Malcolm X. He developed a philosophy of Pan-Africanism, which would inform and guide his later work. He was a writer While in the United States Fela was introduced to Black Power activists such as Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X. The experience inspired him to form an organization called the Movement of the People and compose songs that expressed the ideas he had about activism and black awareness. His philosophies were publicly expressed through yabis – a form public speaking 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 physicians. After returning to Nigeria Fela began to build his own club The Shrine in Ikeja. The frequent raids by military and police officials were almost constant. His Mosholashi-Idi Oro hangers were able to repopulate the area surrounding the club with hard drugs particularly “bana” and “yamuna” (heroin). Fela maintained his integrity in spite of this. His music is a testimony to his determination to challenge authority and ensuring that the desires of the masses are reflected in official goals. It is a legacy that will last for generations. He was a poet Fela's music employed sarcasm and humor to bring attention to economic and political issues in Nigeria. He also mocked his fans as well as the government and himself. During these shows, he referred to himself as “the big dick in the pond with a little.” These jokes were not viewed lightly by the authorities and he was repeatedly detained and beatings in the hands of authorities. He was eventually given the name Anikulapo which means “he carries his death in his pouch.” In 1977, Fela recorded a song called “Zombie,” which compared soldiers to mindless zombies who obeyed orders without hesitation. The military was offended by the song and seized Kalakuta Republic. They burned the place down and beat its residents. During the raid, Fela's mother was thrown from her second-floor window. Fela developed Afrobeat in the decades that after the nation's independence. Afrobeat is a music genre that blends jazz with the indigenous African rhythm. His songs attacked European cultural imperialism, and he favored traditional African traditions and religions. He also criticized fellow Africans for disrespecting their country's tradition. He stressed the importance of human rights and freedom. 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 and rock and roll, as well as traditional African music and chants which helped form his unique style of music. After his trip to the United States in 1969, Fela met Sandra Smith, an activist from the Black Power movement, and her ideas impacted his work profoundly. The music of Fela became a political instrument after his return to Nigeria. He criticized the government of his native country and argued against Western sensibilities affecting African culture. He also wrote about social injustices and human rights abuses. He was repeatedly detained for his criticism of military. Fela was also a proponent of marijuana in Africa, which is known as “igbo”. He also held “yabis” (public discussions) at Afrika Shrine where he would mock government officials and share his opinions regarding freedom of expression and the beauty of women's body. Fela also had a harem of young women who performed at his shows and acted as vocal backups to him. He was a dancer Fela was a master of musical fusion, taking elements from beat music and highlife to create his own distinctive style. He influenced a generation African musicians and was a vocal critic of colonial rule. Fela refused to leave, despite being detained and tortured by the Nigerian military junta as being a witness to the murder of his mother. He died of complications due to AIDS in 1997. Fela was a political activist who was critical of the oppressive Nigerian government and supported the principles of Pan Africanism. His albums, such as 1973's Gentleman focused on the oppression of both government and colonial forces. He also emphasized black power and criticised Christianity and Islam as non-African influenced religions that were used to divide the people of Africa. Shuffering and Smiling is the title track from the album released in 1978. It describes crowded public transports filled with poor workers, “shuffering and smiling”. fela claims railroad employees was a fierce enemy of religious hypocrisy. Fela's dancers were also an excellent complement to his music. They were vivacious, sensual, and regal. Their contributions to the performance were as significant as the words of Fela. He was a political activist Fela Kuti utilized music as a tool to challenge oppressive authorities. He steered his knowledge of American jazz and funk to African modes and rhythms, resulting in music that is ready for a fight. The majority of his songs begin as slow instrumentals, gradually adding short-lined melodies and riffs until they explode in a flash of vigor. Unlike many artists, who were hesitant to expose their political beliefs, Fela was fearless and unbending. He stood in the cause he believed in even when it was risky. His mother, Funmilayo Runsome-Kuti, was an avowed feminist who was the leader of the Nigerian Women's movement. His father was a protestant minister, and the head of the teachers' union. He also established Kalakuta Republic, a commune and recording studio that was an expression of resistance. The government seized the commune, degrading the property and injuring Fela severely. He refused to give up, however and continued to speak out against the government. He died of complications from AIDS in 1997. He was succeeded by his son, Femi, who continues to carry on his music and political legacy. He was a father Music is often viewed by many as a political action. Artists use lyrics to call for a change. Some of the most powerful musical performances are not supported by words. Fela Kuti is one of these artists and his music is heard today. He pioneered Afrobeat which combines traditional African rhythms and harmonies with jazz and funk, being influenced by artists such as James Brown. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was Fela's activist mother. She was a unionist and fought 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 the 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 band's music blends the sounds and politics of Fela's time with a passionate critique of the same power structures that continue to exist today. The new album, Black Times, will be released in March. A large number of fans attended the funeral and paid their respects in Tafawa Balewa Square. The crowd was so huge that police had to shut down the entrance to the location.