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Hear an audio clip
from Fela Kuti’s “Water No Get
Enemy” |
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Fela Anikulapo Kuti, commonly referred to as Fela,
was born to a Yoruba family in 1938. He rose to
fame as one of Nigeria's most infamous artists in
the 1970s. An anti-establishment musical firebrand,
Fela created the hybrid genre of Afro-beat music
with his band Afro 70. He fused elements of Yoruba
music with jazz, funk, big band and provocative
lyrics, denouncing corrupt government, big business
and social ills.
Fela’s music, as well as his behavior—marijuana
smoking and civil disobedience—created many
enemies in the government, who harassed him throughout
his life. Fela passed away in 1997, leaving his
son Femi to carry on his legacy with the 17-piece
band Positive Force. |
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