About the artist
Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician, composer, and political activist who created and pioneered Afrobeat, a genre fusing traditional Yoruba rhythms, jazz, funk, and highlife into extended, hypnotic grooves built around horns, polyrhythmic percussion, and call-and-response vocals. Born in Abeokuta into a prominent, politically engaged family, he studied music in London before returning to Nigeria and developing his sound through his bands Africa 70 and later Egypt 80, performing for years at his own Lagos club, the Shrine.
His songs, often stretching past ten minutes and sung largely in Pidgin English, were vehicles for blistering social and political commentary, attacking military dictatorship, corruption, and the legacy of colonialism in Nigeria. Tracks such as «Zombie», «Water No Get Enemy», and «Coffin for Head of State» made him a target of the Nigerian state, resulting in repeated arrests, the destruction of his compound Kalakuta Republic, and severe violence against him and his family.
Despite this persecution, Fela remained a defiant, larger-than-life figure until his death in 1997, and his influence extends far beyond Africa into funk, jazz, and hip-hop, with artists worldwide sampling and citing him. He is remembered as one of the most important musical and political voices Africa has produced, and his legacy continues through his sons Femi and Seun Kuti, who carry Afrobeat forward.
Popular tracks
- 1
Water No Get Enemy
yo - 2
Zombie
en - 3
Lady
en - 4
Beasts Of No Nation
en - 5
Gentleman
Een - 6
Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense
en - 7
Expensive Shit
Een - 8
Coffin for Head of State (Vocal)
en - 9
Sorrow Tears and Blood
en - 10
Shuffering and Shmiling (Part 2)
Een - 11
Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am
Een - 12
Beasts of No Nation [Edit]
en - 13
Colonial Mentality
en - 14
Unknown Soldier
Een - 15
Mr. Follow Follow
en
Frequently asked questions
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Discography
Finding Fela: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
2014
The Best of the Black President 2
2013
The Underground Spiritual Game
2004
Open & Close / Afrodisiac
2001
The Best of the Black President
2000
The Best Best of Fela Kuti
2000
Opposite People / Sorrow Tears and Blood
2000
Music Is the Weapon of the Future
1998
Underground System
1992
Beasts Of No Nation
1989
Beasts of No Nation
1989
O.D.O.O. (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake)
1989
O.D.O.O. (Overtake Don Overtake Overtake)
1989
Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense
1986
Mr. Follow Follow
1986
Army Arrangement
1985
Live In Amsterdam
1984
Perambulator
1983
Black President
1981
Original Suffer Head
1981
Coffin for Head of State
1980
Authority Stealing
1980
I.T.T. (International Thief Thief)
1980
Music Of Many Colours
1980
Unknown Soldier
1979
V.I.P., Pt. 1 & 2 (Vagabonds in Power) [Live in Berlin]
1979
Shuffering and Shmiling
1978
Sorrow Tears and Blood
1977
Opposite People
1977
No Agreement
1977
Fear Not For Man
1977
Stalemate
1977
J.J.D (Johnny Just Drop!!) - Live!! At Kalakuta Republik
1977
Ikoyi Blindness
1976
Zombie
1976
Upside Down
1976
Before I Jump Like Monkey Give Me Banana
1976
Yellow Fever
1976
Kalakuta Show
1976
Excuse O
1976
Unnecessary Begging
1976
Expensive Shit
1975
Confusion
1975
He Miss Road
1975
Noise for Vendor Mouth
1975
Everything Scatter
1975
Alagbon Close
1974
Gentleman
1973
Afrodisiac
1973
Shakara
1972
Roforofo Fight
1972
Why Black Man Dey Suffer
1971
Fela With Ginger Baker Live!
1971
Open & Close
1971
Fela’s London Scene
1971
Monkey Banana
Fela Fela Fela
1970
Excuse-O (Edit)