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.
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March 7, 1997
Muson Centre
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria1. Clear Road for Jaga Jaga
2. CSAS
October 1, 1996
Water Parks
Ikeja, Ogun, Nigeria1. CSAS
2. C.O.P. (Country Of Pain)
January 1, 1994
Lekki Beach
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria1. 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)
November 16, 1992
Cambridge Junction
Cambridge, England, United KingdomNovember 11, 1992
Fabrik
Hamburg, Hamburg, GermanyOctober 31, 1992
Brixton Academy
London, England, United Kingdom1. Serere
2. Water No Get Enemy
3. Lady
4. Chop and Clean Mouth Like Nothing Happen Nah New Name for Stealing
5. C.O.P. (Country Of Pain)
6. M.A.S.S. (Music Against Second Slavery)
7. B.B.C. (Big Blind Country)
October 15, 1992
Lisner Auditorium
Washington, Washington, D.C., United StatesJuly 26, 1991
Zellerbach Hall
Berkeley, California, United States1. Sorrow Tears and Blood
2. A.S.B.O.P. (Akunakuna, Senior Brother of Perambulator)
3. M.A.S.S. (Music Against Second Slavery)
4. Pansa pansa
July 15, 1991
Apollo Theater
New York, New York, United States1.
2. M.A.S.S. (Music Against Second Slavery)
3. A.S.B.O.P. (Akunakuna, Senior Brother of Perambulator)
4. B.B.C. (Big Blind Country)
5. Pansa pansa
July 25, 1990
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Santa Cruz, California, United States1. Se re re
2. Underground System
3. M.A.S.S. (Music Against Second Slavery)
4. G.O.C. (Government of Crooks)
July 24, 1990
The Warfield
San Francisco, California, United States1. Se re re
2. Underground System
3. A.S.B.O.P. (Akunakuna, Senior Brother of Perambulator)
4. M.A.S.S. (Music Against Second Slavery)
July 15, 1990
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Kansas City, Missouri, United States1. Underground System
2. M.A.S.S. (Music Against Second Slavery)
July 4, 1990
Le Spectrum
Montreal, Quebec, CanadaJune 29, 1990
The Ritz
New York, New York, United StatesJune 28, 1990
Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts
Mansfield, Massachusetts, United StatesApril 12, 1990
1. M.A.S.S. (Music Against Second Slavery)
2. A.S.B.O.P. (Akunakuna, Senior Brother of Perambulator)
3. A.S.B.O.P. (Akunakuna, Senior Brother of Perambulator)
Restarted due to sound problemFebruary 4, 1990
The Warfield
San Francisco, California, United States1. Sherere, Do Right, Be Good
2. A.S.B.O.P. (Akunakuna, Senior Brother of Perambulator)
3. M.A.S.S. (Music Against Second Slavery)
4. G.O.C. (Government of Crooks)
September 26, 1989
Chestnut Cabaret
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States1. One Afrika(Oluko Imo cover)
2. Se re re
3. Underground System
4. ODOO (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake)
5. A.S.B.O.P. (Akunakuna, Senior Brother of Perambulator)
September 6, 1989
Liberty Lunch
Austin, Texas, United States1. One Human One Vote
July 30, 1989
Woodbury Ski Area
Woodbury, Connecticut, United States1. Underground System
2. ODOO (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake)
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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