Artist

Fela Kuti

9

Releases

About

Born: 15 October 1938, in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Died: 2 August 1997, of AIDS and heart failure in Lagos, Nigeria.

He formed his first group Koola Lobitos in 1963. The large jazz, funk, and afrobeat collective underwent many changes in the following decades but the style remained the same thanks to Fela's vision and other key members such as drummer Tony Allen.

In 1969 after visiting America, Fela returned to Nigeria and opened club Afro Spot in Lagos also changing the group's name to Afrika 70. He played with Ginger Baker on the album Ginger Baker Live with Afrika 70 and Fela Kuti, released in 1971 and along side Bobby Gass, better known as Bobby Tench from The Jeff Beck Group, on Stratavarious which was released the next year. In 1981 Fela changed the group's name for the last time to Egypt 80.

He was known as Fela Ransome-Kuti until about 1978, when he renamed himself Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the middle name meaning 'he who carries death in his pouch'. He was a human rights revolutionary who started his own political party, Movement Of The People, to protest the kleptocracy in Nigeria. He had his own compound called the Kalakuta Republic in Lagos, which he declared independent from Nigeria, where he and his uncountable number of wives lived and they were constantly terrorized by the government.

His influence on funk and African music is unsurpassed and has put his name to many albums, the total number thought to be 77.

Father of Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti.

Data provided by Discogs

Top Tracks

Most popular songs on Last.fm

1

Zombie

Fela Kuti

2

Water No Get Enemy

Fela Kuti

3

Expensive Shit

Fela Kuti

4

Lady

Fela Kuti

5

Gentleman

Fela Kuti

6

Water No Get Enemy - Edit

Fela Kuti

7

Roforofo Fight

Fela Kuti

8

Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am

Fela Kuti

9

Shakara

Fela Kuti

10

Fefe Naa Efe

Fela Kuti

Setlists

Recent live performances ยท data from Setlist.fm

Setlist data provided by Setlist.fm

March 7, 1997

Muson Centre

Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

  • 1. Clear Road for Jaga Jaga

  • 2. CSAS

View on Setlist.fm โ†’


October 1, 1996

Water Parks

Ikeja, Ogun, Nigeria

  • 1. CSAS

  • 2. C.O.P. (Country Of Pain)

View on Setlist.fm โ†’


January 1, 1994

Lekki Beach

Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

  • 1. Chop and Clean Mouth Like Nothing Happen Nah New Name for Stealing

  • 2. M.A.S.S. (Music Against Second Slavery)

  • 3. B.B.C. (Big Blind Country)

View on Setlist.fm โ†’


November 16, 1992

Cambridge Junction

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

View on Setlist.fm โ†’


November 11, 1992

Fabrik

Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

View on Setlist.fm โ†’

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People Also Ask

Fela Kuti has released 9+ albums. Some of their notable releases include Fela Edits, The Best Of The Black President 2, Anthology 2. Explore their complete discography on this page.

Some of Fela Kuti's most popular tracks include Zombie, Water No Get Enemy, Expensive Shit, Lady, Gentleman. Listen to these songs and discover more from their extensive catalog.

Born: 15 October 1938, in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Died: 2 August 1997, of AIDS and heart failure in Lagos, Nigeria. He formed his first group Koola Lobitos in 1963. The large jazz, funk, and afrobeat colle... Read the full biography on this page.

You can find Fela Kuti vinyl records and merchandise on eBay. We feature a curated selection of vinyl releases and collectibles available for purchase.

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