Fela Kuti

AfrobeatAbeokuta, British Nigeria, Nigeria

Fela Anikulapo Kuti revolutionized African music by fusing traditional Yoruba rhythms, jazz harmonies, and funk grooves into Afrobeat. Afrobeat was a genre inspired by the South Carolinian Godfather of Soul/Funk "James Brown", his drummer and longtime bandleader "Tony Allen," his London-based college Highlife Jazz band "Koola Loobitos," his Los Angeles introduction to Sandra Izsadore / the "Black Panther Party" / the Citadel d'Haiti, and more that became the sonic language of pan-African liberation and political resistance. His incendiary performances and unflinching critiques of Nigerian military dictatorship transformed the concert stage into a platform for social revolution, while his relentless output of albums like "Zombie" and "Water No Get Enemy" inspired generations of musicians across the continent and the diaspora. Through his artistry, activism, and the Shrine nightclub he established in Lagos, Kuti proved that African popular music could challenge power while moving bodies and souls with infectious, polyrhythmic brilliance. All told, they spent ten months in the United States. Fela returned home not just musically awakened, but politically as well. And when James Brown made his way to Nigeria in late 1970, he and his band stopped by Fela’s club, the Afro-Spot. And while Brown never has admitted it, both Bootsy Collins & David Matthews, Brown’s arranger, have admitted that they were influenced by the sounds that they heard there. And the interplay of all of those elements created the conditions for Fela to later become Fela Anikulapo Kuti, “He who carries death in his pouch”: the master of his own destiny … the Black President … and the legendary revolutionary artist that we think of today. The First "Afrobeat" Hit from Fela Anikulapo Kuti that took Nigeria by storm was "JEUN KO KU." There was no music like it around Lagos or West Africa at that time. Fela then went into studying Yoruba Traditional Rhythms (even Ceremonial / Shrine Rhythms.) One day, the beat he wanted came to him. He called Tony Allen and showed him the beat and Tony Allen manifested it. So Fela then named it "Afrobeat" to represent his experience of the Civil Rights Movement of the African Americans, and pay homage to the "Afro" hair style which they wore during the struggle.

Discography

Albums

Highlife Rakers Calypso No.1

1959

Fela's First - The Complete 1959 Melodisc Session

1959

1[A] Aigana / Fela's Special

2[B] Highlife Rakers Calypso No.1 / Wa Ba Mi Jo Bosue

1954-66

1959

1Various Artists

Highlife On The Move: Selected Nigerian & Ghanaian Recordings from London & Lagos 1954-66

Soundway1959

1959-60?

1959

Aigana

1959

1- The two tracks from the Fela's very first disc were released as a 7" vinyl disc format.

2Koola Lobitos in 1961!

Aigana

1960

Bonfo

1961

Nigerian Independence

1961

Koola Lobitos Special

1961

Fela Ransome-Kuti white Label

1963

1[A] To My Mother / Remi

2[B] Kenta / unknown track

Great Kids

1964

Onifere No. 2

1965

Oloruka

1965

Ololufe

1965

Ironu / Magbe Yenwa / Iro / Ojo

1965

Lagos Baby

1966

Yese

1967

Gendamarie

1967

Yabonsa No. 2

1967

Amen

1967

1- Possible release of this track as a single was suggested by Uchenna Ikonne.

She Don't Know What Love Is

1968

Ololufe

1968

Wadele

1968

Orise

1968

V. C. 7

1968

Isaac Olashugba and Ezekiel Hart later formed a group called D. I. E. Combination, and released a 45 from Polydor in 1972

1968

Vol. 1: Mi O Fe

1968

Vol. 2: Die Die

1968

Vol. 3: Fire

1968

Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Koola Lobitos

1968

1[A] Signature Tune / It's Highlife Time / Lagos Baby / Omuti / Ololufe / Araba's Delight

2[B] Wa Dele / Lai Se / Mi O Mo / Obinrin Le / Omo Ejo

Title Unknown

1968

1[A] Ololufe / Ayawa Ni / Onidodo / Yese / Araba's Delight

2[B] Abiara / Onijibiti / Madele / Orun / Ojo

Onidodo

1968

Abiara

1968

Ironu

1968

Afro Beat on Stage: Recorded Live at the Afro Spot

1969

1[A] Everyday I Got My Blues / Moti Gborokan / Waka Waka

2[B] Ako / Ororuka / Lai Se

Ikilo

1969

Waka Waka

1969

My Baby Don Love Me

1969

1963-1969

1969

Highlife-Jazz and Afro-Soul

1969

Jeun K'oku

1970

Viva Nigeria

1970

Lover

1971

Ako

1971

Fela Fela Fela

1971

1[A] My Lady's Frustration / Viva Nigeria / Obe (Stew) / Ako / Witchcraft

2[B] Wayo / Lover / Funky Horn / Eko / This Is Sad

Fela's London Scene

LP1971

1[A] J'ehin-J'ehin / Egbe Mi O

2[B] Who're You / Buy Africa / Fight to Finish

Blackman's cry

1971

Na Fight-O!

1971

Who're You?

1971

1- Image is shown here by courtesy of Naotaka Doi.

Jeun K'oku

1971

Don't Gag Me

1971

Why Black Man Dey Suffer

Initially recorded for1971

1[A] Why Black Man Dey Suffer

2[B] Ikoyi Mentality Versus Mushin Mentality

The Best of Fela

1971

[A] Beautiful Dancer / Jeun Ko Ku

1971

[B] Na Fight O

1971

Na Poi

1971

[A] Na Poi

1971

[B] Na Poi

1971

Alujon-Jon-Ki-Jon

1971

Beggar's Song

1971

Shenshema

1971

Monday Morning

1971

Fogo-Fogo

1971

Ariya

1971

The Best of Fela Volume 2: Fela's Budget Special

1971

1[A] Monday Morning In Lagos / Shenshema / Don't Gag Me

2[B] Beggar's Song / Alu Jon-Jon-Ki-Jon / Chop & Quench (Instrumental)

Open and Close

1971

1[A] Open and Close / Swegbe and Pako

2[B] Gbagada Gbagada Gbogodo Gbogodo

Live!

1971

1[A] Let's Start / Black Man's Cry

2[B] Ye Ye De Smell / Egbe Mi O (Carry Me, I Want to Die)

Chop and Quebch

1971

Let's Start

1971

Stratavarious

LP1972

1[A] Ariwo / Tiwa

2[B] Something Nice / Juju / Blood Brothers 69 / Coda

Egbe Mi O

1972

Shakara

LP1972

1[A] Shakara Oloje

2[B] Lady

Music of Fela - Roforofo Fight

LP1972

1[A] Roforofo Fight

2[B] Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am

3[C] Question Jam Answer

4[D] Go Slow

Afrodisiac

LP1973

1[A] Alu Jon Jonki Jon / Chop and Quench

2[B] Eko Ile / Je'n Wi Temi

Gentleman

1973

1[A] Gentleman

2[B] Fefe Naa Efe / Igbe (Na Shit)

Going In and Coming Out

1974

Alagbon Close

LP1974

1[A] Alagbon Close

2[B] I No Get Eye for Back

He Miss Road

1975

1[A] He Miss Road / Monday Morning in Lagos

2[B] He No Possible

Expensive Shit

LP1975

1[A] Expensive Shit

2[B] Water No Get Enemy

Noise for Vendor Mouth

1975

1[A] Noise for Vendor Mouth

2[B] Mattress

Everything Scatter

LP1975

1[A] Everything Scatter

2[B] Who No Know Go Know

Confusion

1975

1[A] Confusion (Instrumental)

2[B] Confusion (Vocal)

Jealousy

1975

1[A] Jealousy

2[B] Hustler

Kalakuta Show

LP1975

1[A] Kalakuta Show

2[B] Don't Meke Garnan Garnan

No Bread

LP1976

1[A] No Bread

2[B] Unnecessary Begging

Ikoyi Blindness

1976

1[A] Ikoyi Blindness

2[B] Gba Mi Leti Ki N'dolowo

Yellow Fever

1976

1[A] Yellow Fever

2[B] Napoi 75

Upside Down

LP1976

1[A] Upside Down

2[B] Go Slow

Before I Jump like Monkey Give Me Banana

1976

1[A] Monkey Banana

2[B] Sense Wiseness

Again, Excuse O

1976

1[A] Excuse-O

2[B] Mr Grammatology-Lisationalism Is the Boss

Zombie

LP1976

1[A]Zombie

2[B] Mr Follow Follow

The Original Hedzoleh Soundz

1976

1[A] Alhaji Tanko / Muslim Prayers / We Are Not Going / Ni Zar / Tempele

2[B] Rekpete / Edina Banya / Volta Suit / Makola Market

The Basa-Basa Soundz

1976

1[A] Dr Solotsu / Nye Tao Ame / Tinapa Minana / Aziza / Woman

2[B] Lakuma / Yayaa / Nature / Amal

Zombie

Mercury1977

1[A] Zombie

2[B] Monkey Banana / Everything Scatter

Fela Ransome-Kuti Vol. 1 & 2

1977

1[A] Shakara (Oloje) / Chop & Quench

2[B] Let's Start / Black Man's Cry

3[C] Lady / Je'nwi Temi (Don't Gag Me)

4[D] Alu Jo Jonki Jon / Egbe Mi O (Carry Me I Want to Die)

J.J.D.

1977

1[A] J.J.D.(Instrumental)

2[B] J.J.D. (Vocal)

Sorrow, Tears and Blood

1977

1[A] Sorrow, Tears, and Blood

2[B] Colonial Mentality

Opposite People

1977

1[A] Opposite People

2[B] Equalisation of Trouser and Pant

Mr. Big Mouth

1977

1[A] Mr. Big Mouth

2[B] The Beginning

Stalemate

1977

1[A] Stalemate

2[B] African Message (Don't Worry About My Mouth-O)

Fear Not for Man

1977

1[A] Fear Not for Man

2[B] Palm-Wine Sound

Why Black Man Dey Suffer

1977

1[A] Why Black Man Dey Suffer

2[B] Male

Observation No Crime

1977

1[A] Observation No Crime

2[B] Lady

I Go Shout Plenty

1977

1[A] I Go Shout Plenty

2[B] Frustration of My Lady

No Agreement

1977

1[A] No Agreement

2[B] Dog Eat Dog

Progress

1977

1[A] Progress

2[B] Afro Disco Beat

Shuffering and Shmiling

LP1977

1[A] Shuffering and Shmiling (Instrumental)

2[B] Shuffering and Shmiling (Vocal)

Shuffering and Shmiling

1978

1[A] Shuffering and Shmiling

2[B] Perambulator

Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and The Africa 70 -- 'Mistake'

1978

Ginger Baker and Tonny Allen 'Drum Solo' -- CD 'Fela Ransome-Kuti and The Africa '70 with Ginger Baker - Live!'

1978

No Accommodation for Lagos

1979

1[A] No Accommodation for Lagos

2[B] African Message

Unknown Soldier

LP1979

1[A] Unknown Soldier (Instrumental)

2[B] Unknown Soldier (Vocal)

V.I.P.-Vagabons in Power

1979

1[A] V.I.P. (Instrumental)

2[B] V.I.P. (Vocal)

I.T.T.-International Thief Thief

1979

1[A] I.T.T. (Instrumental)

2[B] I.T.T. (Vocal)

The Black Way

1979

Authority Stealing

1980

1[A] Authority Stealing (Instrumental)

2[B] Authority Stealing (Vocal)

Music of Many Colors

LP1980

1[A] Africa - Center of the World

2[B] Blacks Got To Be Free

Coffin for Head of State

1981

1[A] Coffin for Head of State (Instrumental)

2[B] Coffin for Head of State (Vocal)

Black-President

1981

1[A] Sorrow Tears and Blood / Colonial Mentality

2[B] I.T.T. (International Thief Thief)

Original Sufferhead

LP1981

1[A] Original Sufferhead

2[B] Power Show

Sorrow Tears and Blood

1981

Perambulator

1983

1[A] Perambulator

2[B] Frustration

Lady

1983

Lady b/w Unknown Soldier

1983

Live in Amsterdam - Music Is the Weapon

1984

[A] Movement of the People Political Statement Number I

1984

[B] Movement of the People Political Statement Number I

1984

1[C] Gimme Shit I Give You Shit

2[D] Custom Check Point

M. O. P.

1984

1[A] M. O. P. (Movement of people) (Version Club)

2[B] M. O. P. (Movement of people) (Version Radio)

Army Arrangement

1985

1[A] Army Arrangement (Instrumental)

2[B] Army Arrangement (Vocal)

Mr. Follow Follow

1986

1[A] Mr. Follow Follow

2[B] Who No Know Go Know

Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense

1986

1[A] Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense (Instrumental)

2[B] Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense (Vocal)

Look And Laugh

1986

1Look And Laugh (Vocal) b/w Look And Laugh (Instrumental)

I Go Shout Plenty

1986

1[A] I Go Shout Plenty

2[B] Why Black Man Dey Suffer

Fela In Concert

1986

1Movement of The People Political Statement Number 1 / Army Arrangement / Power Show (Instrumental)

Jenwi Temi (Don't Gag Me)

1987

1[A] Lady / Jenwi Temi

2[B] Alu Jo Jonki Jon / Egbe Mi O

Oduduwa

1988

1[A] Oduduwa

2[B] Were Oju Le

Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense

1988

1??

Fela Live

1988

1??

Beasts of No Nation

1989

1[A] Beasts of No Nation (Instrumental)

2[B] Beasts of No Nation (Vocal)

Overtake Don Overtake Overtake

CD1989

1[A] Overtake Don Overtake Overtake (Instrumental)

2[B] Overtake Don Overtake Overtake (Vocal)

Confusion Break Bones

1990

1[A] Confusion Break Bones (Instrumental)

2[B] Confusion Break Bones (Vocal)

Proud

1990

Just Like That

1990

1[A] Just Like That

2[B] Movement of The People Political Statement Number 1

Original Sufferhead

1991

1Original Sufferhead / Sorrow Tears and Blood / Colonial Mentality / ITT

Fela Live

1991

1Confusion Break Bones / Techer Don't Teach Me Nonsense

Underground System

CD1992

1[A] Underground System

2[B] Pansa Pansa

Black Man's Cry

1992

1Zombie / Shuffering & Shmiling / No Agreement / Shakara / Black Man's Cry / Lady

The '69 Los Angeles Sessions

1993

Low Profile (Not For The Blacks): Music of Lekan Animashaun

1995

1[A] Low Profile

2[B] Se-Rere

Abami

2000

1Million / Abami / Vernacular / Put Am Well Well

Red Hot + Riot

MCA2002

The Underground Spiritual Game

2004

In Africa

Eagle Rock2006

Featuring The Great Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Africa 70 Band, Ikeja, Lagos 1980

2006

1Transkei Song / Maseru To Bamako / Military Milionaires

Fela Anikulapo Kuti / Complete Works Of Fela Anikulapo Kuti

2007

Big Blind Country - Afro Beat Live!!

2010

1[A] Big Blind Country (Part One)

2[B] Big Blind Country (Part Two)

Live in Detroit 1986

2012

1[CD 1] Just Like That

2[CD 2] Confusion Break Bones / Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense

3[CD 3] Beast of No Nation

4- Ojo Ton Su

5This song was performed in his early days.

6- Football Government

7- O. A. U.

8- N. N. G. (Nigerian Natural Grass)

9- M. A. S. S. (Music Against Second Slavery)

10- B. B. C. (Big Blind Country)

11- Chop And Clean Mouth Like Nothing Happen

12- Country of Pain

13- G. O. C. (Government of Crooks)

14- A. S. B. O. P (Akunakuna, Senior Brother of Parabulator)

15- C. S. A. A. (Condom Stalawagy and Scatter)

16- C. R. F. J. J. (Clear Road for Jaga Jaga)

17- Bamaiyi

18- Cock Dance

19- Sisi me-o