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Fela Anikulapo Kuti was, no doubt, one of the finest musicians to have come out of Africa. Born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Fela is famously acknowledged as the father of Afro Beat, a genre of music which evolved when African musicians began combining elements of traditional musical styles such as jùjú music and highlife with American funk.
Until his death in 1997, Fela gained global recognition for his unique style of music and the thrilling themes of his songs. Fela used his music as a tool of revolting against political tyranny, oppression, corruption, human rights abuses, colonialism, imperialism, etc.
Here are 10 things you probably didn't know about the iconic Fela Kuti:
1.
Being a radical himself, Fela was greatly influenced by the teachings of Malcolm X, a foremost American civil rights activist. Fela was also influenced by the political views of his mother, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti, an activist and first woman to drive a car in Nigeria.
2.
Fela was a first cousin to Professor Wole Soyinka, the first African to win the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature.
3.
In 1958, Fela was sent to London to study Medicine. However, he decided to study music instead at the Trinity College of Music.
4.
Fela replaced his name Ransome, which he thought had a colonial roots, with Anikulapo -- a Yoruba word which loosely means he who carries death in his pouch.
5.
Fela was arrested about 200 times by the oppressive military government of the time.
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6.
In 1978, Fela married 27 women in a single wedding, breaking the Guinness book of records for the most number of women married in a single day.
7.
In 1979, Fela formed his political party named Movement of the People. Fela would afterwards run twice for the office of the president of Nigeria but failed on all occasions. He was later jailed for 20 months.
8.
Fela named his communal residence (where he also had a recording studio and performs his music) Kalakuta Republic. Kalakuta is a Swahili word which means rascals. In other words, Fela named his own residence the Republic of Rascals.
9.
On his death in 1997, one million people marched with Fela's coffin to his residence where he was buried.
10.
Fela decided to record most of his songs in pidgin English because he wanted his music to be easily understood all over Africa.
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What an adventurous life.. he was always in a family line of power.
Very informative post.
Thanks. Glad you find it quite informative.
very informative
I did not now about this musician. Thanks for sharing. It looks like he had a very interesting and influential life
Sure, Fela was a great African musician and activist. I'm not sure he made much international influence when alive, although he fell into global prominence posthumously.