#Fela Kuti

[garethschweitzer]

Keith Haring, Grace Jones, Fela Kuti and Basquiat

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Fela Kuti - Zombie 1977

Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì was a Nigerian musician and political activist. His musical style is called Afrobeat, a genre he largely created, which is a complex fusion of jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional Nigerian and African chants and rhythms. It contains elements of psychedelic soul and has similarities to James Brown's music. Kuti was referred to as one of Africa's most challenging and charismatic music performers. AllMusic described him as "a musical and sociopolitical voice" of international significance.

His studio album Zombie was released in Nigeria in 1976, and in the UK in 1977. The album was a scathing attack on Nigerian soldiers using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military. The album was a smash hit with the people and infuriated the government, setting off a vicious attack against the Kalakuta Republic (a commune that Kuti had established in Nigeria), during which one thousand soldiers attacked the commune. Kuti was severely beaten, and his elderly mother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was thrown from a window, causing fatal injuries. The Kalakuta Republic was burned, and Kuti's studio, instruments, and master tapes were destroyed. Kuti's response to the attack was to deliver his mother's coffin to the main army barrack in Lagos and write two songs, "Coffin for Head of State" and "Unknown Soldier", referencing the official inquiry that claimed the commune had been destroyed by an unknown soldier.

"Zombie" received a total of 62,3% yes votes!

[anamon-book]

ミュージック・マガジン 1998年10月号 表紙＝「フェラ・クティ」イラストレイション＝本秀康

[yearningforunity]

Afrika Shrine, Lagos, Nigeria 1970s.

Photo: Adrian Boot

[pineconecowgirl]

keith haring, grace jones, fela kuti and jean-michel basquiat. new york, 1986.

📸 andy warhol

[ongawdclub]

F e l a K u t i

[davidhudson]

Fela Kuti, October 15, 1938 – August 2, 1997.

[didierleclair]

FELA ANIKULAPO KUTI, AFRO-BEAT!

[jt1674]

[itswadestore]

[nicocota]

[kemetic-dreams]

[olipeaksforever]

Keith Haring, Grace Jones, Fela Kuti and Jean Michel Basquiat at Mr. Chow in New York City, June 1986.

Photo taken by Andy Warhol.

[ozkar-krapo]

FẸLA [ANIKULAPO-KUTI] & The AFRICA 70

"Coffin for Head of State"

(LP. Kalakuta rcds. ? / rec. 1980) [NG]

[cosmonautroger]

Casio CZ-3000, Fela Kuti