From the start, Fela Kuti was a rebel in every sense of the word. Defying musical norms and societal expectations, he carved out a sound so unorthodox, jarring, yet irresistibly groovy that it demanded attention.

"The music of Africa is big sound: it's the sound of a community." – Fela Kuti

Photo credit: Leni Sinclair/ Michael Orcs Archives

Born in Nigeria to an upper-middle-class family, Fela’s roots in political activism ran deep. His father was the president of the Nigerian Teacher’s Union, and his mother was an outspoken women’s rights activist and anti-colonial protester. It was clear from early on that Fela's path would be anything but ordinary. His parents sent him to London with hopes that he would study medicine and one day become Nigeria’s Minister of Health. But Fela, had other plans. Within days of arriving, he switched his focus to music.

The Birth of the Afrobeat Sound

"I hold death in my pouch, I cannot die." 

Fela's musical journey began in the jazz and highlife scenes of London, but his transformation took place over years and across continents. He played the trumpet in London, immersing himself in various sounds and styles, but it wasn’t until a trip to the United States in the late 1960s that his music and politics truly collided.

During his time in Los Angeles, Fela encountered the Black Panthers and the messages of leaders like Malcolm X, which sparked a profound political awakening. By the time he returned to Nigeria, Fela had embraced Pan-Africanism, and with that, the seeds of Afrobeat were planted. Kuti began to fuse these influences into something uniquely his own.

This new outlook prompted Fela to change his surname from Ransome-Kuti to Anikulapo-Kuti—a name that translates to "he who has pocketed death." It symbolised his defiance and his belief that his music, legacy, and activism made him untouchable by the forces that sought to silence him.

The Afrobeat Revolution

Photo credit: Frans Schellekens

Afrobeat, a blend of traditional African rhythms, jazz, funk, and highlife, became the soundtrack to his political rebellion. Unlike the polished pop music of today, Fela’s Afrobeat was raw, confrontational, and unapologetically African. In 1970, Kuti officially renamed his band Africa ‘70 and released Fela Fela Fela, followed by the hit single “Jeun Ko Ku” in 1971. From then on, his music always carried a message, tackling issues like corruption, inequality, and government oppression.

Fela sang primarily in Pidgin English and his native Yoruba, ensuring that his messages reached the masses. Fela’s lyrics spoke out against military dictatorship, economic exploitation, and the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. He used his platform to call for a social and political awakening, making him a thorn in the side of the government.

A Life of Rebellion

Fela’s activism wasn’t limited to music. He established the Kalakuta Republic, a communal compound that housed his recording studio and a free healthcare clinic. Declaring it independent of the Nigerian state, Kalakuta became a symbol of resistance. However, it also made Fela a target.

On February 18, 1977, Nigerian soldiers stormed into the Kalakuta Republic. This brutal invasion saw Kuti beaten, his home and studio destroyed, and his mother, Funmilayo, thrown from a second-floor window, leading to her death weeks later. The spark behind this violent attack? A song called "Zombie."

Released earlier that same year, "Zombie" struck a chord with Nigeria's military rulers, calling out their blind obedience. Over more than 12 minutes of relentless polyrhythmic groove, Kuti unleashed a powerful critique of the military, and in doing so, defined the genre of Afrobeat—a blend of insurrectionary politics and irresistible rhythms.

The Music That Lives On

Photo credit: Adrian Boot (Urban Image) BBC Plimsoll Productions

Fela Kuti’s life was cut short at 58, but his impact endures. Over one million people attended his funeral, a testament to the profound influence he had on Nigeria and Africa at large. Fela showed the world that music could be more than entertainment—it could be a powerful tool for social and political change.

"Music is a weapon of the future / music is the weapon of the progressives / music is the weapon of the givers of life." – Fela Kuti

Today, Fela’s legacy lives on through Afrobeat, inspiring musicians and activists across the globe. His sons, Femi and Seun Kuti, carry the torch of their father’s revolutionary sound, while artists like Burna Boy continue to draw on Fela’s influence in their music.

Check out EXPENSIVE SHIT, SHAKARA, AFRODISIAC, and GENTLEMAN by Fela Kuti!