Fela Kuti

Fela Kuti was born in 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, into a family where politics and music were part of daily life. His father was an activist and his mother a singer. After studying music in London at Trinity College in the 1960s, he returned to Nigeria and formed the band Koola Lobitos, which later became Africa '70. His music blended jazz, funk, and African rhythms into what he called Afrobeat, but it was the lyrics that gave it weight. Songs like 'Colonial Mentality' and 'Sorrow, Tears, and Blood' directly addressed the psychological and physical violence of colonial rule and its aftermath.

His nightclub, the Shrine, became a gathering place for activists and musicians, and his outspoken criticism of the Nigerian government made him a frequent target. He was arrested and imprisoned multiple times. The 1976 album 'Zombie' mocked the military, leading to a violent raid on his compound. Despite this, he kept recording and performing with his large ensemble, which included drummer Tony Allen and, at times, musicians like Ginger Baker and Roy Ayers.

Fela's discography spans dozens of albums, from early works like 'Fela's London Scene' to later ones such as 'Army Arrangement' and 'Beasts of No Nation'. His songs often stretched into long, hypnotic grooves that carried his messages. 'Shuffering and Shmiling' critiqued the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians, while 'Gentleman' poked at cultural pretension. He didn't just make music; he used it as a tool, and that approach influenced countless artists who came after him.