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Fela Kuti The life of Fela is full of contradictions, which is part of what makes him fascinating. People who love him will forgive the parts of him that aren't perfect. His songs typically last 20 minutes or more, and are sung in dense, almost unintelligible Pidgin English. His music is heavily influenced by Christian hymns, jazz, classical music, Yoruba singing, and horn-andguitar heavy highlife. He was a musician Fela Kuti embodied the idea that music can be an instrument of change. He made use of his music to push for social and political changes and his influence is still felt in the world in the present. Afrobeat is a musical style that combines African and Western influences. Its roots lie in West-African high-life music and funk, but it has since evolved into a distinct genre. His political activism was ferocious and unflinching. He used his music as a protest against government corruption and human rights violations. Songs like “Zombie”, “Coffin for the State Head” and others were blatant criticisms of Nigeria's dictatorship. He also used Kalakuta as a platform to gather like-minded people and to promote political activism. The play includes a large portrait of his mother, who died in the past Funmilayo ransome-Kuti. She was a well-known feminist and activist. She is portrayed by actress Shantel Cribbs who has successfully conveyed her significance in the life of Fela. The play also focuses on her political involvement. Despite her declining health she refused to be tested for AIDS. Instead, she chose traditional treatments. He was a singer Fela Ransome Kuti was a complex person who utilized music to bring about political change. He is credited with being the creator of afrobeat. It was an energetic mix of dirty funk and traditional African rhythms. He was a vocal critic of Nigeria's religious and political leaders. Being raised by an anti-colonial feminist mother and a feminist father, it's not a surprise that Fela had a passion for politics and social commentary. His parents believed that he would be a doctor however, there were other goals for him. While he started in a more apolitical highlife fashion, a trip in America could alter his perspective forever. His music was profoundly influenced by his exposure to Black Power movements and the leaders such as Eldridge Clever and Malcolm X. He adopted the Pan-Africanism philosophy, which would guide and inform his later work. He was a songwriter While in the United States Fela was introduced to Black Power activists such as Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X. The experience inspired him to start an activist movement known as the Movement of the People, and to compose songs that expressed his thoughts on political activism and black consciousness. His philosophy was expressed publicly through yabis – a form that he described as 'freedom expression'. He also began to enforce strict moral codes for his band, such as refusing to use medication from Western-trained doctors. Fela returned to Nigeria and began building his own club in Ikeja. The raids by police and military officials was almost daily. His Mosholashi-Idi Oro hangers repopulated the area around the club with drugs of all kinds particularly “bana” and “yamuna” (heroin). Fela was a steadfast person in spite of this. His music is a testimony to the determination with which he challenged authority and demanded that popular ambitions be reflected in official goals. It is an extraordinary legacy that will endure for generations to be. He was a poet In his music, Fela used light-hearted sarcasm to highlight economic and political issues in Nigeria. He also ridiculed his audience, the government, and himself. During these shows, he would refer to himself as “the big dick in the little pond.” These jokes were not taken lightly by the authorities, and he was frequently arrested and imprisonments, as well as beatings at the hands of authorities. He was eventually given the name Anikulapo which means “he is carrying his body in his purse.” In 1977, Fela released a song called “Zombie” in which he compared soldiers with mindless zombies who followed orders without any question. The military was offended by the song and seized Kalakuta Republic. They burned the place down and beat its residents. In the course of the raid, her mother was thrown out of her second-floor window. Fela developed Afrobeat in the decades that after the country's independence. Afrobeat is a music genre that blends jazz with native African rhythm. His songs criticized European imperialism in culture and praised African traditional beliefs and cultures. He also criticized fellow Africans who betrayed their country's customs. He stressed the importance of freedom and human rights. He was a rapper Fela Anikulapo Kuti, trumpeter and saxophonist was born in Abeokuta in 1938. fela lawsuit settlements is a pioneer in Afrobeat music. He grew up with jazz and rock and roll, as well as traditional African music and chants, which helped form his style of music. After his trip to the United States in 1969, Fela met Sandra Smith, an activist from the Black Power movement and her ideas affected his work profoundly. Upon his return to Nigeria, Fela began using his music as a tool for political purposes. He criticised the government of his country and argued against Western sensibilities that affected 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”. He held “yabis” (public discussions) at the Afrika Shrine where he would ridicule government officials and spread his views on freedom of expression and beauty of women's body. Fela also had a harem of young women who danced at his shows and acted as vocal backups to his vocalists. He was a dancer Fela was a master of musical fusion, combining elements from jazz, beat music and highlife to create his own distinctive style. He was a prominent African musician and vocal critic of colonial rule. Despite being tortured and arrested by the Nigerian military junta, and witnessing his mother murdered, Fela refused to leave the country. He died from complications due to AIDS in 1997. Fela was a prominent political activist who opposed the oppressive Nigerian Government and supported the principles Pan Africanism. His albums, including 1973's Gentleman focused on the issue of oppression by both government bodies and colonial parties. He also pushed for black power and decried Christianity and Islam as non-African imports that have been used to divide the people of Africa. The title track on an album released in 1978, Shuffering and Shmiling, describes the overcrowded public buses packed with workers “shuffering and shmiling.” Fela was a strong opponent of hypocrisy in religion. His dancers were a great complement to his music. They were vivacious, sensual, and regal. Their contributions to the performance were as significant as Fela's words. He was an activist for the political cause. Fela Kuti utilized music as a tool to challenge oppressive authorities. He steered his knowledge of American jazz and funk to African styles and rhythms, creating music that is ready for battle. Most of his songs begin with slow-burning instrumentals. He layers little notes, riffs and other elements until they explode in a blaze of energy. Fela like many artists who were scared to discuss their political beliefs, was fearless and unbending. He stood for his beliefs even when it was dangerous to do so. His mother, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was a fervent feminist who led the Nigerian Women's Movement. His father was a protestant minister and the president of the teachers union. He also created Kalakuta Republic, a commune and recording studio that was a symbol of resistance. The government seized the commune, degrading the property and hurting Fela severely. He refused to give up however and continued to voice his opinion against the government. He died of complications from AIDS in 1997. He was succeeded by his son, Femi, who continues to continue his musical and political legacy. He was a father Music is often seen as a political act with artists using lyrics to demand change. However, some of the most effective musical protests don't use words in any way. Fela Kuti is one of these artists, and his music still is heard today. He was the first to pioneer Afrobeat, combining traditional African rhythms and harmonies with funk and jazz, in the style of artists like James Brown. Fela's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a militant and unionist who stood up against colonialism. She helped form the Abeokuta Women's Union and fought against gender-discriminatory taxation laws. She also studied Marxism and believed Nigeria should be serving its entire population. Fela's son Seun continues his father's work, with a band called Egypt 80 that's touring the world this year. The band's music is a blend of the sounds and politics of Fela's era with a passionate critique of the same power structures that persist today. Black Times will be released at the end of March. Many fans attended the funeral and paid tributes at Tafawa Balewa Square. The crowd was so big that police had to shut off the entrance to the venue.