bottomcongo66
User Name: You need to be a registered (and logged in) user to view username.
Total Articles : 0
Fela Kuti The life of Fela is full contradictions and thats a large part of what makes him fascinating People who love him will forgive the bad parts of him His songs are usually 20 minutes or more and sung in a dense Pidgin English that is almost unintelligible His music is influenced by Christian hymns and jazz classical music Yoruba music chant and hornandguitar heavy highlife He was a musician Fela Kuti embodied that music can be a tool to transform the world He made use of his music to push for political and social change and his influence is present in the world today His musical style Afrobeat is a synthesis of African and Western influences Its roots lie in WestAfrican hiplife music and funk However it has since developed into its own style His political activism was ferocious and he acted without fear He made use of his music to protest against corruption in the government and human rights abuses Songs such as Zombie Coffin for the State Head and others were bold critiques of Nigerias regime He also made his home Kalakuta Republic as a hub for political activism and an opportunity to meet likeminded people The production includes a massive portrait of his late mother Funmilayo ransomeKuti She was a renowned feminist and activist Shantel Cribbs portrays her and she does an excellent job of conveying her importance in Felas life The play also focuses on her political activism Despite her condition deteriorating she refused to be tested for AIDS Instead she took traditional treatment He was a musician Fela RansomeKuti was a multifaceted man who used his music as a tool for political change He is credited with being the originator of afrobeat an invigorating blend of funk dirty and traditional African rhythms He was also a fervent critic of Nigerias governmental and religious leaders Having been raised by an anticolonial suffragist mom it is no surprise that Fela had a passion for social commentary and politics His parents hoped that he would become a doctor however he had other ideas While he began in a more apolitical highlife fashion a trip in America could alter his perspective forever His music was profoundly inspired by his exposure to Black Power movements and the leaders such as Eldridge Clever and Malcolm X fela railroad accident lawyer adopted a philosophy of PanAfricanism that would influence and guide his later work He was a music producer Fela encountered Black Power activists like Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X while in the United States The experience inspired him to create an activist movement known as the Movement of the People and to write songs that reflected his ideas on political activism and black consciousness His philosophical ideas were aired in public through the medium of yabis an art of public speaking he dubbed freedom of expression He also began to impose strict moral codes for his group which included refusing to take medication from Westerntrained doctors Fela returned to Nigeria and started building his own club in Ikeja The frequent raids by police and military officials was nearly constant His MosholashiIdi Oro hangers were able to repopulate the area around the club with drugs of all kinds particularly bana and yamuna heroin Fela kept his integrity regardless of this His music is a testament to his determination in challenging authority and ensuring that the desires of the masses are reflected in official goals It is an influence that will last for generations He was a poet Felas music employed sarcasm and humor to draw attention to political and economic issues in Nigeria He also made fun of his audience government officials and even himself He referred to himself during these shows as the big dick on the pond with the little fish The authorities did not take his jokes lightly and he was frequently detained imprisoned and beating by the authorities He was eventually given the name Anikulapo which means he is carrying his death in his bag In 1977 Fela released a song called Zombie in which he compared soldiers with brainless zombies that followed orders without any question The military was offended by the song who seized the Kalakuta Republic burning it down and beating its inhabitants During the raid Felas mother was thrown from her secondfloor apartment through a window Fela developed Afrobeat in the years that followed the countrys independence Afrobeat is a music genre that combines jazz and native African rhythm His songs attacked European culture imperialism and supported African traditional traditions and religions He also criticized fellow Africans for betraying their countrys tradition He stressed the importance of human rights and freedom He was a rapper A saxophonist trumpeter composer and pioneer of the Afrobeat genre Fela AnikulapoKuti was born in 1938 in Abeokuta Nigeria He was inspired by jazz rock and roll and also traditional African music as well as chants and music After his trip to the United States in 1969 Fela met Sandra Smith an activist from the Black Power movement and her ideas affected his work in a profound way Upon his return to Nigeria Fela began using his music as a tool for political purposes He was critical of the government of his country and also argued against Western sensibilities affecting African culture He also wrote about social injustices and human rights violations and was frequently detained for his criticism of the military Fela also openly advocated the use of marijuana known as igbo in Africa He frequently held public discussions at Afrika Shrine also known as yabis in which he would lampoon government officials and spread his views on freedom of expression and the beauty of womens bodies Fela had an harem which was an ensemble of young women who performed in his shows and also backed him vocally He was a dancer Fela was a master of musical fusion taking elements from beat music and highlife to create his own distinct style He influenced a generation African musicians and was a vocal critic of colonial rule Despite being tortured and arrested by the Nigerian military junta and witnessing his mother murdered Fela refused to leave the country He died of complications due to AIDS in 1997 Fela was a wellknown political activist who was critical of the oppressive Nigerian Government and supported the principles of Pan Africanism His albums including 1973s Gentleman focused on fighting oppression from both government bodies and colonial parties He also promoted black power and decried Christianity and Islam as nonAfrican imports that have been used to divide the people of Africa The title track from an album released in 1978 Shuffering and Shmiling describes the overcrammed public busses filled with poor workers shuffering and smiling Fela was a strong opponent of hypocrisy in religion The music of Fela was also complemented by his dancers who were lively sensual and regal Their contributions were just as important as Felas words He was a militant in the political arena Fela Kuti utilized music as a way to challenge unjust authorities He transformed his knowledge of American jazz and funk to African styles and rhythms creating a sound that was ready for fight Most of his songs start as slow instrumentals gradually layering shortlined melodies and riffs until they burst with urgency Fela like many artists who were scared to discuss their political views was unflinching and uncompromising He stood up for what he believed in even when it was risky His mother Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was a fervent feminist who led the Nigerian Womens movement His father was a protestant minister and the president of the teachers union He also created Kalakuta Republic a commune and recording studio that was an emblem of resistance The government raided Kalakutas Republic and destroyed property as well as injured Fela He refused to give up 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 musical and political legacy He was a father Music is often viewed by many as a form of political protest Musicians use lyrics to demand change Some of the most powerful musical demonstrations arent accompanied by words Fela Kuti is one these artists and his music resonates today He was the pioneer of Afrobeat music which combines traditional African rhythms and harmony with jazz and hiphop being influenced by artists like James Brown Funmilayo RansomeKuti Felas maternal grandmother was an activist and unionist who was a fighter against colonialism She helped form the Abeokuta Womens Union and fought against genderdiscriminatory taxation laws She also studied Marxism and believed Nigeria should serve its all citizens Felas son Seun continues his fathers work with the band Egypt 80 thats touring the world this year The music of Egypt 80 combines the sounds of Fela and a scathing critique of the power structures that exist in the present The album Black Times will be released in March A large number of fans attended the funeral and paid tributes at Tafawa Balewa Square The crowd was so huge that police had to block the entrance to the venue