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Fela Kuti Fela is a man with contradictions. That's what makes him so intriguing. People who love him forgive the flaws in him. His songs typically last longer than 20 minutes and are sung in a thick, almost incomprehensible Pidgin English. His music is influenced primarily by Christian hymns and classical music. He also blends jazz, Yoruba, and highlife with guitars and horns. He was a musician Fela Kuti embodied the idea that music is an instrument of change. His music was used to advocate for political, social and economic changes. His influence is present today. His musical style, Afrobeat, is a combination of African and Western influences. Its roots lie in West-African hip-life music and funk However, it has since evolved into a distinct style. His political activism was fierce, and he acted without fear. He made use of his music to protest against corruption in the government and human right abuses. Songs like “Zombie”, “Coffin for the State Head” and others were bold criticisms of Nigeria's dictatorship. He also used his residence, Kalakuta Republic, as a hub for political activism as well as a gathering place for like-minded people. The play includes a large portrait of his late mother Funmilayo ransome-Kuti. She was a prominent feminist and activist. Shantel Cribbs portrays her, and she does a great job of expressing her significance in Fela's life. The play also examines her political activism. Despite her deteriorating health she refused to be tested for AIDS and instead opted for traditional medicine. He was a musician Fela Ransome Kuti was a multifaceted person who used music to effect changes in the political landscape. He is known as the creator of afrobeat, an invigorating blend of funk, dirty and traditional African rhythms. He was also a relentless critic of Nigeria's governmental and religious leaders. Growing up with an anti-colonial feminist mother and a feminist father, it's not a surprise that Fela had a passion for political and social commentary. His parents hoped that he would become a doctor, but he had other ideas. A trip to America changed his life forever. The exposure to Black power movements and leaders like Malcolm X and Eldridge Cleaver had a profound effect on his music. He embraced a philosophy of Pan-Africanism, that would influence and guide his later work. He was a music producer While in the United States Fela was introduced to Black Power activists like Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X. This led him to start a political group called the Movement of the People and compose songs that reflected the thoughts he had about political activism and black awareness. His philosophical ideas were aired in public through the way of yabis, which is a form of public speaking he dubbed “freedom of expression”. He also started to impose an ethical code on his band. This included refusing to accept medication from Western-trained doctors. Fela returned to Nigeria and started building his own club in Ikeja. Raids from police and military officials were every day. His Mosholashi-Idi Oro hangers repopulated the area surrounding the club with drugs of all kinds, especially “bana” and “yamuna” (heroin). But despite this, Fela was a man of uncompromising integrity. His music is a testament to his determination in challenging authority and demanding that popular ambitions are recognized in official goals. It is a legacy that will last for generations. He was a poet In his music, Fela used light-hearted sarcasm to discuss political and economic issues in Nigeria. He also ridiculed his audience, the government, and himself. He also referred to himself in these shows as “the big dick in the pond with the little fish.” The authorities did not take his jokes lightly, and he was often detained, imprisoned, and beat by the authorities. He eventually took the name Anikulapo which translates to “he has death in his pocket.” In 1977, Fela released a song called “Zombie” in which he contrasted soldiers with mindless zombies who followed orders without question. The military was offended by the song and they raided the Kalakuta Republic, burning it down and beating its occupants. In the course of the raid, her mother was thrown from her second-floor window. Fela developed Afrobeat during the years that followed the nation's independence. Afrobeat is a music genre that blends jazz with native African rhythm. His songs criticized European cultural imperialism, and he favored traditional African beliefs and cultures. He also criticized fellow Africans who violated their country's customs. He also stressed the importance of human rights and freedom. He was a rapper Fela Anikulapo Kuti, trumpeter and saxophonist was born in Abeokuta in 1938. He is a pioneer in Afrobeat music. He grew up with jazz music, rock and roll and traditional African music and chants which helped shape his style of music. After an excursion to the United States in 1969, Fela met Sandra Smith, an activist from the Black Power movement and her ideas influenced his work dramatically. Fela's music became a political instrument after his return to Nigeria. He criticised the government of his home country and argued against Western sensibilities that impacted African culture. He also wrote about societal injustices and human rights violations, and was repeatedly arrested for his criticism of the military. Fela was also a proponent of marijuana in Africa and is referred to as “igbo”. fela law firm held “yabis” (public discussions) at the Afrika Shrine, where he would ridicule government officials and spread his views regarding freedom of expression and the beauty of women's body. Fela had a harem, which was a group of women who performed at his shows and backing his vocally. He was a dancer Fela was a master of musical fusion. He incorporated elements from jazz, beat music and highlife to create his own distinct style. He was a leading African musician and vocal critic of colonial rule. Fela refused, despite being interrogated and detained by the Nigerian military junta as well having witnessed the murder of his mother. He died in 1997 of AIDS-related complications. Fela was a political activist who was a critic of the oppressive Nigerian government and supported the principles of Pan Africanism. His albums, such as 1973's Gentleman focused on the oppression of both government and colonial forces. He also pushed for black-power and criticized Christianity, Islam and other non-African imports that divide the people of Africa. Shuffering and Smiling is the title track of a 1978 album. It describes crowded public buses full of people who are poor, “shuffering and smiling”. Fela was a fierce anti-religious hypocrisy. The dancers of Fela were a great complement to his music. They were vivacious, sensual, and elegant. Their contributions were just as important as Fela’s words. He was an activist for the political cause. Fela Kuti was an activist who used music to challenge oppressive authority. He made use of his knowledge of American jazz and funk towards African modes and rhythms, resulting in music that is ready for battle. Most of his songs begin as slow instrumentals, gradually layering little riffs and long-lined melodies until they explode in a flash of vigor. Fela like many artists who were afraid to speak about their politics was unflinching and uncompromising. He stood up for what he believed in, even when it was risky. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was a feminist who was the leader of the Nigerian Women's Movement. His father was both a protestant minister, and the president of the teachers union. He also established Kalakuta Republic – a recording studio and commune that became an emblem of the resistance. The government raided the commune, degrading the property and injuring Fela severely. He refused to give up, however, and continued to speak against the government. He passed away from complications of AIDS in 1997. His son Femi continues to carry his musical and political legacy. He was a father Music is often thought of as a political act, with musicians using lyrics to demand change. But some of the most effective music-related protests do not use words at all. Fela Kuti is one these artists and his music rings today. He was the first to pioneer Afrobeat music, which blends traditional African rhythms and harmonies with jazz and hip-hop that was inspired by artists like James Brown. Fela's mother, Funmilayo Runsome-Kuti was a militant and unionist who was a fighter against colonialism. She helped form the Abeokuta Women's Union and fought against gender-discriminatory taxation laws. She also studied marxism and believed in the idea of a Nigeria that was serving its the entire population. Seun Fela's Son is carrying the legacy of his father with the band Egypt 80. The band will be touring the globe this year. The Egyptian 80's music blends the sound of Fela with a scathing denunciation of power structures that still exist today. Black Times will be released at the end of March. Thousands of fans attended the funeral and paid their respects in Tafawa Balewa Square. The crowd was so large that police were forced to block the entrance to the venue.