THE FELA CULT MOST NIGERIAN MUSICIANS JOIN TO BLOW
THE MAN
Fela Ransom Kuti, is
the most popular controversial musician of all time from Africa, Judging from
his rich and political background as the son of an activist and a pastor, one
would have forecasted that Fela would have pursued a different carrier in life,
but he did choose circular music, In 1959 He went to London and studied music
at Trinity College of music, In 1969 he moved to America to pursue a music
carrier with his band. After he failed to become an American jazz musician, He
was influenced by Sandra Isadol who taught him how to become an African because
he had an European background, She introduced him to Malcolm X whose works awakened
the African mentality in Fela and he started playing African Music which got
him a lot of attention,
He used and
popularized pidgin English in Africa which helped in making his music
understandable to all Africans no matter the native language spoken there. Fela
grew up in the last days of colonialism which was characterized by racism,
police brutality, military intervention, corruption, political instability and
hardship, so these issues formed the soul of Fela’s music. He wanted African
Cultures and Traditions to guide the running of African government; He wanted
Africans to see themselves as greater than the Europeans, He thought deeper; He
thought Africa while in America and was dubbed THE BLACK PRESIDENT.
THE MUSE
Fela in an interview
was asked what inspired the creation of his music genre said that it was the
quest and need to contribute something to the world, and that cannot be done
while Africans lived behind the shadow of the Europeans, He stated that Africans
needed to exist, act, live and sing as Africans and that is the only way they
can contribute to the world economy, Fela developed a music genre called Afro
Beat, which was a fusion of African sounds and jazz, this made him the most
original musician in Africa, He played a couple of instruments like the piano
and drums, and composed all his songs by himself. From 1981 Fela released over
40 albums and played many gigs and concerts, His popular works includes Teacher
Don’t teach me nonsense, Trouble sleep yanga wake am, Confusion break bone,
Looku Looku, Suffering and Smiling, Sorrow, Tears, Blood, Army Arrangement,
Vagabond in power, Yellow Fever, Gentle man, Kolomentality, Music the
Weapon.etc.
Fela’s music always
had a message, It always talked about something real happening in the society,
He sang about colonialism, Police brutality, Corruption, political instability,
Electoral malpractice and was the first
to speak up against the military coup in Nigeria, All these attacks on the
government got him into trouble many times, He was convicted for Seduction,
Armed robbery, currency charges and addiction among other charges the
government can think of to use and put the most outspoken musician of all times
behind bars.
THE CULT
FELA means “He who emanates greatness”
Anikulapo means “The one who has death in his pooch”
While Kuti means “The one who never dies”
The combination of
Fela’s name not only shows that he was destined for greatness but also showed
his desire to be revered and worshiped after his death hence he removed his
middle name Ransom and replaced it with Anikulapo, and opened a place known as
THE FELA SHRINE in Lagos, which served as an abode for his band and a forte for
him and also a police free and government free area. The shrine was later
destroyed by the government after fela’s death and rebuilt by his son Femi
Kuti. It is no longer news that most
contemporary Nigerian artistes draw inspiration from Fela’s life and music
while at the same time linking themselves to him as his descendants and ardent
worshipers.
2face one of the most
successful Nigerian artiste has not only replicated most of fela’s song but
also derived his own genre which he called Afro Hip hop from fela’s Afro beat,
Faze dropped kolomental a successful single which has its roots from Fela’s
kolomentality, Idris Abdukarim openly said in his song Koleyewon that he wants
to be like Fela Anikulapo kuti and later dedicated a song he titled fela to
this music icon telling him in the song to rest in peace while complaining to him
about the problems he sang about which are still reoccurring in Nigerian
politics, Banky W, though started out as an Rnb artiste still copied some of
fela’s lyrics which also helped to popularize his act, D’banj one of the most
popular and successful African musician is just a replica of fela who he draws
inspiration from, also most of his ad lips, sexy persona, dressing, dance steps
and controversial character was molded after Fela’s life style and this has
gotten him international recognition,
Wizkid who started
with holla at your boy became the most sought after Nigerian artiste
internationally after joining the fela cult by dropping a song Jaiye Jaiye
which he featured fela’s son femi kuti, and later his release of Ojuelegba a
remix of fela’s song, and this has gotten the star boy a remix from Ovo records
6 god Drizzy Drake who also featured Wizkid as a guest artiste on One dance, a
single that topped the billboard chart for weeks, Burna Boy is also a strong
member of the Fela cult because his pattern of music is not far from his
masters own, also his character and
persona also points to the Shrine where he represents, In 2013 Burna boy
performed Run my race at Felaboration in underpants, a day in every year dedicated
to remembering and worshiping the god of afro beat.
Oritse Femi only rose
to the limelight after his release of double Wahala, a remake of one of fela’s
hit, and a song which he dedicated to fela, W4 also joined this group with his
single Control, also D’prince, Dr Sid, JJC Skillz all draw their insipation
from Fela, Since this trend has become a sure way to fame and success, even
newbie’s like Dremo signed to Davido’s
DMW now calls himself fela in a young body, while dammy crane said he grew up
as a studio rat in fella’s shrine, Also in the international arena some years
ago we saw Roc nations self acclaimed Hova draw excerpts from Fela’s Songs.
If we continue to
mention artistes one after another who pay allegiance to the god of afro beat,
this post will become inexhaustible, so let me leave you to use your
imagination and figure out what this trend is if not idolatry, when someone
died and has a shrine, where almost every artiste who wants to make it in the
industry must visit to become famous, even fela’s son femi kuti recently in an
interview covered his face because he believes a Christian should not be crowned
king in Oyo empire,
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give me ad sense after this post because wrote about
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