Fela Kuti Research Paper

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Musicians across the world hope to be heard and find an audience. Rarely do they escape the confines of the music business to become cultural icons. Even more rarely do they become pioneers of a musical genre, outspoken human rights activists, and political provocateurs. Nigerian musician Fela Kuti became the embodiment of all of these things, and his life has left a lasting legacy across social consciousness and pop culture. Whether loathed or loved, Fela Kuti’s life and work represent a passionate and complicated man who was willing to carve his own path. Born into a middle class family in Abeokuta, Nigeria on October 15, 1938, Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti was the son to a Protestant minister father, Israel Ransome-Kuti, and anti-colonialist …show more content…

He struck a deal with the owner of a nightclub called The Parrot, renaming the club “Afro-Spot” and organizing three live musical sessions per week. Speaking in Pidgin English, Fela’s lyrics took on new thematic elements like government hypocrisy and African nationalism. He would condemn authorities and praise ancient African gods. He would discuss his lyrics with the audience, making them part of the events and political conversation. (Fela Kuti: Chronicle of a Life Foretold). Over the early ‘70s, the band grew to sixteen members, and their output increased at a breakneck pace. The band would record its most popular songs monthly, releasing the songs almost immediately, which increased his band’s notoriety. By the mid-70s, Fela moved to a new club in Lagos, Nigeria, which he referred to as “The African Shrine”. It was here that his performances began to feature new elements of more percussion and keyboards; new stage rituals including visits from African priests and Ghanaian magicians; there was dancing, marijuana smoking, and face painting. Fela’s large female contingent went from being simply part of his court to become dancers and backup vocalists (Fela Kuti Remembered). What he called “Afrobeat” music was …show more content…

Following the elections, a military coup in Nigeria boded poorly for Fela. He was once again arrested, and this time imprisoned for nearly two years. Released in 1986 after a second coup, Fela continued his musical efforts despite further entanglements and harassment by law enforcement. With the end of the 80s and the beginning of the 90s came the fall of apartheid in Africa, and Fela’s music and activism took on more world elements such as racism, war profiteering, and hypocrisy of authoritarian leaders, found in renowned compositions such as “Beasts of No Nation” (Fela Kuti: Chronicle Of A Life

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