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Biography of FelaName: FelaBirth Date: 1938 Death Date: August 2, 1997 Place of Birth: Abeokuta, Nigeria Nationality: Nigerian Gender: Male Occupations: musician, singer, activist Fela One of Africa's most acclaimed musicians, Nigerian Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938-1997) wrote and performed political protest songs that won him a large following both at home and abroad, to the frequent chagrin of government authorities. His music--dubbed "Afro-Beat"--was an amalgam of American blues and jazz blended with African rhythms, while his pointed lyrics--in pidgin English and African--confronted government corruption, multi-national corporations, and police brutality. In a career that spanned four decades Fela (as he was popularly called) recorded over 50 albums and performed frequently in concert.Fela was a flamboyant singer and musician and his concerts--many held at his Lagos nightclub, The Shrine--were lengthy and infectious. Fela belted out his driving songs, gyrating as he performed on saxophone or keyboards, directing his thunderous 27-member band, Egypt 80. John Darnton wrote in the New York Times that one of Fela's most popular songs, 'Upside Down,' described a traveler …showed first 150 words…
…showed last 150 words…the work of reggae singer Jimmy Cliff and the Talking Heads' David Byrne. In 1991 he performed an epic gig at New York City's Apollo theater accompanied by 30 support players.As Fela became better known outside Nigeria he felt that his music would increasingly hold an international message. He told People's Cathy Nolan: "America needs to hear some good sounds from Africa, man. The sanity of the world is going to be generated from Africa through art. Art itself is knowledge of the spiritual world. Art is information from higher forces, by those who are talented. I'm not jiving. I've been living with my art for 23 years. My music has never been a failure."Fela died of an AIDS-related illness at his home in Nigeria on August 2, 1997. He was 58 years old. Further Reading Moore, Carlos, Fela Fela, Schocken, 1987. Maclean's, October 13, 1986. Nation, August 13, 1990. New York Times, July 24, 1977; November 7, 1986. People, December 1, 1986. Spin, November 1991. |