97-574: Kokolo ( / k ə ˈ k oʊ l oʊ / kə- KOH -loh ), also known as the Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra , is an American Afrobeat band from the Lower East Side of New York City, formed in 2001 by songwriter/producer Ray Lugo . Along with the Daktaris and Antibalas , they form part of the early New York Afrobeat scene that ignited the genre's current global revival. The band's name
194-513: A polygamist when he simultaneously married 27 women. The highly publicized wedding served many purposes: it marked the one-year anniversary of Kuti and his wives surviving the Nigerian government's attack on the Kalakuta Republic in 1977, and also formalized Kuti's relationships with the women living with him; this legal status prevented the Nigerian government from raiding Kuti's compound on
291-459: A better life, against a bad life. When you're listening to something that depicts having a better life, and you're not having a better life, it must have an effect on you. Kuti was highly engaged in political activism in Africa from the 1970s until his death. He criticized the corruption of Nigerian government officials and the mistreatment of Nigerian citizens. He spoke of colonialism as the root of
388-594: A commanding officer's intervention as he was being beaten. Kuti's response to the attack was to deliver his mother's coffin to the Dodan Barracks in Lagos , General Olusegun Obasanjo 's residence, and to write two songs, "Coffin for Head of State" and "Unknown Soldier," referencing the official inquiry that claimed an unknown soldier had destroyed the commune. Kuti and his band took up residence in Crossroads Hotel after
485-401: A disconnected professor ( Richard Jenkins ) who wanted to play the djembe ; he learns from a young Syrian ( Haaz Sleiman ) who tells the professor he will never truly understand African music unless he listens to Fela. The film features clips of Kuti's "Open and Close" and " Je'nwi Temi (Don't Gag Me)". In 2008, an off-Broadway production about Kuti's life, entitled Fela! and inspired by
582-473: A hideout, a day after the fall of Kalakuta . The full-length documentary film Finding Fela , directed by Alex Gibney , premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival . A biographical film by Focus Features , directed by Steve McQueen and written by Biyi Bandele , was rumoured to be in production in 2010, with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the lead role. However, by 2014, the proposal was no longer produced under Focus Features, and while he maintained his role as
679-499: A key characteristic of Kokolo. By the summer of 1995, Lugo ran Underhanded Studios, a recording facility on Ludlow Street which he shared with Mark Anthony Thompson from Chocolate Genius , Sim Cain from the Rollins Band and Yuka Honda ( Cibo Matto /Sean Lennon) . While at Underhanded, Lugo befriended Bosco Mann and Phillip Lehman , who soon recorded the first albums for Desco Records at Underhanded and who would go on to release
776-516: A live performance done in Berlin , West Germany . In 1983, Kuti nominated himself for president in Nigeria's first elections in decades, but his candidature was refused. At this time, Kuti created a new band, Egypt 80, which reflected the view that Egyptian civilization , knowledge, philosophy, mathematics, and religious systems are African and must be claimed as such. Kuti stated in an interview: "Stressing
873-545: A madman's body"; in Nigerian Pidgin: "No be outside Buhari dey ee / na craze man be dat / animal in craze man skini." Kuti strongly believed in Africa and always preached peace among its people. He thought the most important way for them to fight European cultural imperialism was to support traditional religions and lifestyles in their continent. The American Black Power movement also influenced Kuti's political views; he supported Pan-Africanism and socialism and called for
970-541: A marked emphasis on West-African Afrofunk . "I thought it would be interesting to make explicit the implicit connection that exists between Nigerian Afrobeat and American Funk and explore the musical dialogue that took place across the Atlantic during that golden era, a dialogue that also included the New York Latin sound, which was also highly regarded and influential in Africa at the time", states Lugo. " Heavy Hustling "
1067-451: A more complex example, he mocks African women's aspiration to European standards of ladyhood while extolling the values of the market woman in "Lady". However, Kuti also critiqued what he considered aberrant displays of African masculinity. In his songs "J.J.D. (Johnny Just Drop)" and "Gentleman", Kuti mocks African men's culturally and politically inappropriate adoption of European standards and declares himself "African man: Original". Kuti
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#17328580608641164-449: A more pronounced Latin influence throughout the songs. The group's "Afro" version of The Clash 's "The Magnificent Seven", a nod to one of Lugo's musical heroes, was well received by DJ's around the world and featured Jamaican dancehall artist Joe Daddz on lead vocals. " Love International ", released in July 2007 on Freestyle Records, confirmed that Kokolo possessed "Our Own Thing", as one of
1261-515: A new musical direction let him to form Kokolo in the spring of 2001, enthused by the template of his friends in Antibalas and informed by the music of Fela Kuti , James Brown and the Fania All-Stars and by the live power of groups like Bad Brains , The Clash and Mano Negra . Initially a traditional Afrobeat ensemble, the group consisted of 14 members from various parts of the world, and as
1358-673: A partisan of the Black Panther Party . This experience heavily influenced his music and political views. He renamed the band Nigeria 70. Soon after, the Immigration and Naturalization Service was tipped off by a promoter that Kuti and his band were in the US without work permits. The band performed a quick recording session in Los Angeles that would later be released as The '69 Los Angeles Sessions . After Kuti and his band returned to Nigeria,
1455-623: A record deal with Arista records London through A&R Tarquin Gotch. The first album came out in February 1981 under the title of "Black President" with the track "ITT" and on the B-Side "Colonial Mentality" and an edited version of "Sorrow Tears and Blood" (these two tracks recorded with Africa 70 and Tony Allen were unreleased in Europe ). Following the release, Fela performed his first European tour (4 concerts in
1552-410: A result of a revolving door of musicians coming in and out of the group, the initial months proved frustrating at tightening up the group as a live unit. During this time Lugo met English Trombonist Chris Morrow, the only other original member currently in the group. In the summer of 2001, Lugo turned to Gabe Roth to produce Kokolo's debut album " Fuss And Fight ", so called because Lugo wanted to denote
1649-560: A sample of Kokolo's "The Way Up" on a song and video titled "Afrokalle", from the band's album, "Flash". "Kokolo vs.Terricos", a vinyl EP of remixes of music by both groups was released in November 2018 on American label Peace & Rhythm. Originally formed as a traditional Afrobeat ensemble, Kokolo quickly developed a far spikier sound, often played faster and more emphatically than many of their contemporaries. They have also proven adept at broadening their sound by incorporating influences from
1746-557: A sense of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti." — Herald Sun , February 2011 Kuti's lyrics expressed his inner thoughts. His rise in popularity throughout the 1970s signalled a change in the relation between music as an art form and Nigerian socio-political discourse. In 1984, he critiqued and insulted the authoritarian then-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari . "Beast of No Nation", one of his most popular songs, refers to Buhari as an "animal in
1843-455: A united, democratic African republic. African leaders he supported during his lifetime include Kwame Nkrumah and Thomas Sankara . Kuti was a candid supporter of human rights , and many of his songs are direct attacks against dictatorships, specifically the militaristic governments of Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s. He also criticized fellow Africans (especially the upper class) for betraying traditional African culture. In 1978 Kuti became
1940-683: A variety of other genres. Although Kokolo sing in English primarily, they have released several numbers sung in Spanish and Portuguese. Lugo's songwriting approach is largely informed by punk, rock and reggae, and contrary to many contemporary Afrobeat groups' reliance on more "Jazzy" instrumentals, Kokolo's songs feature re-occurring vocal choruses, which are designed to engage and energize audiences at live shows. Their live performances also vary drastically from that of their peers, as Kokolo's shows are more frenzied and akin to rock concerts, another indication of
2037-496: A week) with a suite of 70 people. The tour starting in Paris on March 15, 1981, with a huge crowd estimated at 10000 people, then Brussels, Wien and Strasbourg. "Black President was followed by another album was recorded in Paris in july 1981: "Original Sufferhead", with "Power Show" on the B-side. Fela also recorded the track "Perambulator" in Paris. Arista gave his back freedom to Fela at
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#17328580608642134-428: Is a West African music genre , fusing influences from Nigerian (such as Yoruba and Igbo music ) and Ghanaian (such as highlife ) music, with American funk , jazz , and soul influences. With a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersecting rhythms, and percussion, the style was pioneered in the 1960s by Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti , who popularised it both within and outside Nigeria. At
2231-517: Is a cousin to the writer and laureate Wole Soyinka , a Nobel Prize for Literature winner. They are both descendants of Josiah Ransome-Kuti , who is Kuti's paternal grandfather and Soyinka's maternal great-grandfather. Kuti attended Abeokuta Grammar School . In 1958, he was sent to London to study medicine but decided to study music instead at the Trinity College of Music , with the trumpet being his preferred instrument. While there, he formed
2328-492: Is a key part of the sound, and is used to give basic structure, playing a repeating chordal/melodic statement, riff, or groove. Some elements often present in Kuti's music are the call-and-response within the chorus and figurative but simple lyrics. His songs were also very long, at least 10–15 minutes in length, and many reached 20 or 30 minutes, while some unreleased tracks would last up to 45 minutes when performed live. Their length
2425-559: The Daktaris album, which spearheaded the Afrobeat revival in New York. Also during this time, while producing King Chango 's debut recordings, Lugo recruited Martin Perna and Mike Wagner as the group's horn section. Perna and Wagner would go on to form Antibalas , along with percussionist Fernando Velez ( Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings ), another former King Chango alumni. Lugo's search for
2522-705: The Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation . He played for some time with Victor Olaiya and his All-Stars. He called his style Afrobeat , a combination of Apala music , funk , jazz , highlife, salsa , calypso , and traditional Yoruba music . In 1969, Kuti took the band to the United States and spent ten months in Los Angeles. While there, he discovered the Black Power movement through Sandra Smith (now known as Sandra Izsadore or Sandra Akanke Isidore),
2619-495: The Royal National Theatre ) was filmed. On 11 June 2012, it was announced that Fela! would return to Broadway for 32 performances. On 18 August 2009, DJ J.Period released a free mixtape to the general public, entitled The Messengers . It is a collaboration with Somali -born hip-hop artist K'naan paying tribute to Kuti, Bob Marley , and Bob Dylan . Two months later, Knitting Factory Records began re-releasing
2716-597: The Simple Living lifestyle, and followers of the writings of J. Krishnamurti , whose concepts heavily influenced the lyrics on the band's second album, "More Consideration", as exemplified by the maxim found on their album jackets: "Live More, Consume Less.. With More Joy and Less Stress". They have donated songs, performed and raised funds on behalf of scores of projects ranging from Youth empowerment organizations to AIDS relief groups and environmental causes. Source: Afrobeat Afrobeat (also known as Afrofunk )
2813-488: The 1970s and early 1980s under the title "Chief Priest Say", these columns were extensions of Kuti's famous Yabi Sessions—consciousness-raising word-sound rituals, with himself as chief priest, conducted at his Lagos nightclub. Organized around a militantly Afrocentric rendering of history and the essence of black beauty, "Chief Priest Say" focused on the role of cultural hegemony in the continuing subjugation of Africans. Kuti addressed many topics, from fierce denunciations of
2910-504: The 1982 biography Fela, Fela! This Bitch of a Life by Carlos Moore , began with a collaborative workshop between the Afrobeat band Antibalas and Tony award-winner Bill T. Jones . The production was a massive success, and sold-out performances during its run and gained critical acclaim. On 22 November 2009, Fela! began a run on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre . Jim Lewis helped co-write
3007-532: The 2000s who have fallen in love with both Kuti's material and other rare releases have made compilations and remixes of these recordings, thus re-introducing the genre to new generations of listeners and fans of afropop and groove . In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a small Afrobeat scene began in Brooklyn , New York, with projects including Antibalas , The Daktaris and the Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra . Since then, other artists like Zongo Junction have come onto
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3104-612: The 45 titles controlled by UMG, starting with yet another re-release in the US of the compilation The Best of the Black President , which was completed and released in 2013. Fela Son of Kuti: The Fall of Kalakuta is a stage play written by Onyekaba Cornel Best in 2010. It has had triumphant acclaim as part of that year's Felabration and returned in 2014 at the National Theatre and Freedom Park in Lagos. The play deals with events in
3201-699: The Afro-beat Crusaders , Shaolin Afronauts (from Adelaide, Australia), Newen Afrobeat (from Santiago, Chile), Eddy Taylor & the Heartphones (from Cologne, Germany), Bantucrew , the Albinoid Afrobeat Orchestra ;/ Albinoid Sound System (from Strasbourg, France), Underground System / Underground System Afrobeat (from Brooklyn, New York), Abayomy Afrobeat Orquestra, Chicago Afrobeat Orchestra, Warsaw Afrobeat Orchestra, Karl Hector &
3298-592: The Afrobeat banner to a new generation of listeners. In 1999, Universal Music France , under Francis Kertekian, remastered the 45 albums that it owned and released them on 26 compact discs. These titles were licensed globally, except in Nigeria and Japan , where other companies owned Kuti's music. In 2005, the American operations of UMG licensed all of its world-music titles to the UK-based label Wrasse Records , which repackaged
3395-694: The London School of Music, where he took lessons in piano and percussion and was exposed to jazz. Fela Kuti returned to Lagos and played a highlife-jazz hybrid, albeit, without commercial success. In 1969, Kuti and his band went on a trip to the U.S. and met a woman by the name of Sandra Smith, a singer and former Black Panther . Sandra Smith (now known as Sandra Izsadore or Sandra Akanke Isidore) introduced Kuti to many writings of activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. , Angela Davis , Jesse Jackson , and his biggest influence of all, Malcolm X . As Kuti
3492-526: The Malcouns (from Munich, Germany), Ojibo Afrobeat (from Vilnius, Lithuania), Afrodizz and Dele Sosimi and the ex-Africa '70 members Oghene Kologbo (guitar) with Afrobeat Academy , Nicholas Addo-Nettey (percussion), who is also known as Pax Nicholas [ de ] , with Ridimtaksi (both based in Berlin, Germany). Namibian artist EES (Eric Sell) associates Afrobeat with reggae and kwaito . In 2009,
3589-547: The Nigerian Government's criminal behavior, Islam and Christianity's exploitative nature, and evil multinational corporations; to deconstructions of Western medicine, Black Muslims , sex, pollution, and poverty. "Chief Priest Say" was eventually canceled by The Daily Times and The Punch . Many have speculated that the paper's editors were pressured to stop publication, including threats of violence. "Imagine Che Guevara and Bob Marley rolled into one person and you get
3686-566: The Shrine had been destroyed along with the commune. In 1978, he married 27 women, many of whom were dancers, composers, and singers with whom he worked. The marriages served not only to mark the anniversary of the attack on the Kalakuta Republic but also to protect Kuti and his wives from authorities' false claims that Kuti was kidnapping women. Later, he adopted a rotation system of maintaining 12 simultaneous wives. There were also two concerts in
3783-684: The United States and Europe while continuing to be politically active. In 1986, he performed in Giants Stadium in New Jersey as part of Amnesty International 's A Conspiracy of Hope concert along with Bono , Carlos Santana , and the Neville Brothers . In 1989, Kuti and Egypt 80 released the anti- apartheid album Beasts of No Nation that depicted U.S. President Ronald Reagan , UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher , and South African State President Pieter Willem Botha on its cover. The title of
3880-592: The Western world, but during the 1980s, he was not interested in putting on a "show". His European performance was a representation of what was relevant at the time and his other inspirations. He attempted to make a movie but lost all the materials to the fire that was set to his house by the military government in power. He thought that art, and thus his own music, should have political meaning. Kuti's concerts also regularly involved female singers and dancers, later dubbed as "Queens." The Queens were women who helped influence
3977-558: The album's more driving songs proclaimed, and helped the band tour a number of new countries as a result, and were the first group to bring live Afrobeat music to countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Romania, among others. The band's fourth studio album, " Heavy Hustling ", found them meshing Fela Kuti poly-rhythms and Fania All-Star cadence into a number of James Brown classics, with Lugo providing original vocals, turning classics like " Soul Power " into tongue-in-cheek come ons through lyrical plays on sexual themes and
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4074-912: The aromatic genre of Afrobeat. From Roy Ayers in the 1970s to Randy Weston in the 1990s, there have been collaborations that resulted in albums such as Africa: Centre of the World by Roy Ayers, released on the Polydore label in 1981. In 1994, Branford Marsalis , the American jazz saxophonist, included samples of Fela's "Beasts of No Nation" on his Buckshot LeFonque album. Afrobeat has also profoundly influenced various important contemporary producers and musicians, such as Brian Eno and David Byrne , who credit Fela Kuti as an essential influence. Both worked on Talking Heads ' highly acclaimed 1980 album Remain in Light , which brought polyrhythmic Afrobeat influences to Western music. The new generation of DJs and musicians of
4171-419: The band Koola Lobitos and played a fusion of jazz and highlife . The ensemble would include members, Bayo Martins on drums and Wole Bucknor on piano. In 1960, Kuti married his first wife, Remilekun (Remi) Taylor, with whom he had three children ( Yeni , Femi , and Sola). In 1963, Kuti moved back to the newly independent Federation of Nigeria , re-formed Koola Lobitos, and trained as a radio producer for
4268-629: The band leader and almost all the musicians resigned. Since then, Baryton player Lekan Animashaun became band leader and Fela created a new group named Egypt80 . In 1979, Kuti formed his political party, which he called Movement of the People (MOP) , to "clean up society like a mop", but it quickly became inactive due to his confrontations with the government of the day. MOP preached Nkrumahism and Africanism . In 1980 Fela signed an exclusive management with French producer Martin Meissonnier who secured
4365-522: The band soon toured the UK for the first time. Prior to this maiden tour and a result of internal disagreements, most of the initial group left to form the Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble. Finding themselves stuck with an upcoming tour and no band, Roth came to the rescue by connecting Lugo and Morrow with longtime collaborator and former Fela Kuti / Manu DiBango drummer Jojo Kuo, enabling them to carry on with
4462-402: The composition evolved out of a statement by Botha: "This uprising [against the apartheid system] will bring out the beast in us." Kuti's album output slowed in the 1990s, and eventually, he ceased releasing albums altogether. On 21 January 1993, he and four members of Africa 70 were arrested and were later charged on 25 January for the murder of an electrician. Rumours also speculated that he
4559-422: The corrupt government sent soldiers to beat Kuti, his family and friends, and destroy wherever he lived and whatever instruments or recordings he had. In the 1970s, Kuti began to run outspoken political columns in the advertising space of daily and weekly newspapers such as The Daily Times and The Punch , bypassing editorial censorship in Nigeria's predominantly state-controlled media. Published throughout
4656-490: The criticisms from a selected number of writers whose opinion he respected, more inspired than ever to solidify an original sound for the group. The result was the critically acclaimed More Consideration , which featured more complex orchestrations and sophisticated compositions. The album benefited from the participation of players such as Charlie Hunter , Gabe Roth ( Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings ), Mike Weitman (Project Logic) and Jojo Kuo ( Fela Kuti / Manu DiBango ), and
4753-463: The end of 1981. French Filmmaker Jean Jacques Flori came to Lagos early 1982 to direct the now classic film "Music is a Weapon". The filmed was broadcast first on Antenne 2 (french TV in 1982). The film producer Stephane Tchalgaldjieff didn't like the film and decided to re edit it for an international release. "V.I.P. (Vagabonds in Power)" and "Authority Stealing" were released in 1980, with the former being
4850-532: The friction and internal bickering going on within the group at that time. Recorded at Daptone Studios in Brooklyn, featuring some of the musicians in Antibalas and released on the UK Label AfroKings, " Fuss And Fight " quickly gained the band a following, in particular with European audiences, due in part to the relative novelty of the genre, but also due to their high-energy performances and undeniable talent, and
4947-520: The grounds that Kuti had kidnapped the women. Kuti also described polygamy as logical and convenient: "A man goes for many women in the first place. Like in Europe, when a man is married when the wife is sleeping, he goes out and sleeps around. He should bring the women in the house, man, to live with him, and stop running around the streets!" Some characterize his views towards women as misogyny and typically cite songs like "Mattress" as further evidence. In
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#17328580608645044-430: The group began to experiment with remixes of their original songs, something which some found somewhat taboo, but was viewed by the band as another vehicle with which to reach listeners. To date Kokolo has been remixed by Faze Action , BeatFanatic, Lack Of Afro, Diesler and many others. Kokolo's third album, " Love International " continued to expand the group's sound as Lugo incorporated elements of Hip Hop, Dancehall and
5141-770: The group was renamed (the) Africa '70 as lyrical themes changed from love to social issues. He formed the Kalakuta Republic —a commune , recording studio, and home for many people connected to the band—which he later declared independent from the Nigerian state. Kuti set up a nightclub in the Empire Hotel, first named the Afro-Spot and later the Afrika Shrine, where he both performed regularly and officiated at personalised Yoruba traditional ceremonies in honor of his native ancestral faith. He also changed his name to Anikulapo (meaning "He who carries death in his pouch", with
5238-500: The height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers." Distinct from Afrobeat is Afrobeats , a combination of sounds originating in West Africa in the 21st century. This takes on diverse influences and is an eclectic combination of genres such as hip hop , house , jùjú , ndombolo , R&B , soca , and dancehall . The two genres, though often conflated, are not
5335-581: The influence of groups like Bad Brains and Mano Negra on the group. Since forming, they have evolved into a prolific recording machine, with over 50 releases on their discography and features in scores of notable international compilations, alongside artists like Femi Kuti , Ska Cubano , Tony Allen , U-Roy , Caetano Veloso , Masters At Work , Quantic , Salif Keita , Gerardo Frisina, Baaba Maal , Jazztronik , Zero 7 , Afro Celt Sound System , Joe Bataan , Common , The Orb , Eric B & Rakim and many more. Kokolo are also notable as practitioners of
5432-654: The instrumental, and Part 2 adding in vocals. Kuti's songs are mostly sung in Nigerian Pidgin English , although he also performed a few songs in the Yoruba language . His main instruments were the saxophone and the keyboards , but he also played the trumpet, electric guitar, and the occasional drum solo. Kuti refused to perform songs again after he had already recorded them, which hindered his popularity outside Africa . The subject of Kuti's songs tended to be very complex. They regularly challenged common received notions in
5529-574: The interpretation: "I will be the master of my own destiny and will decide when it is time for death to take me"). He stopped using the hyphenated surname "Ransome" because he considered it a slave name . Kuti's music was popular among the Nigerian public and Africans in general. He decided to sing in Pidgin English so that individuals all over Africa could enjoy his music, where the local languages they speak are diverse and numerous . As popular as Kuti's music had become in Nigeria and elsewhere, it
5626-453: The main writer, McQueen was replaced by Andrew Dosunmu as the director. McQueen told The Hollywood Reporter that the film was "dead". The 2019 documentary film My Friend Fela ( Meu amigo Fela ) by Joel Zito Araújo , explores the complexity of Kuti's life "through the eyes and conversations" of his biographer Carlos Moore . The collaborative jazz/afrobeat album Rejoice by Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela , released in 2020, includes
5723-475: The manner of political commentary through song. Many of his songs also expressed a form of parody and satire . The main theme he conveyed through his music was the search for justice through exploration of political and social topics that affected the common people. Kuti was known for his showmanship, and his concerts were often outlandish and wild. He referred to his stage act as the "Underground Spiritual Game". Many expected him to perform shows like those in
5820-524: The music label Knitting Factory Records (KFR) produced the Broadway musical Fela! The story showcased Kuti's "courage and incredible musical mastery" along with the story of his life. The show had 11 Tony nominations, receiving three for Best Costumes, Best Sound and Best Choreography. Fela! was on Broadway for 15 months and was produced by notables such as Shawn "Jay-Z " Carter and Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith . Many celebrities were noted as attending
5917-468: The music of Vampire Weekend and Paul Simon . In 2020, Antibalas was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album . Afrobeat artists of the 2000s and present continue to follow in the footsteps of Fela Kuti. Some examples of these artists are his sons Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti , Franck Biyong & Massak (from Cameroon), London Afrobeat Collective (from London, UK), Segun Damisa &
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#17328580608646014-467: The name of his group to " Africa '70 ". The new sound hailed from a club he established called the Afrika Shrine . The band maintained a five-year residency at the Afrika Shrine from 1970 to 1975 while Afrobeat thrived among Nigerian youth. Another influential person Ray Stephen Oche [ de ] , a Nigerian musician touring from Paris, France, with his Matumbo orchestra in the 1970s. The name
6111-589: The nation through his music. Since 1998, the Felabration festival, an idea pioneered by his daughter Yeni Kuti , is held each year at the New Afrika Shrine to celebrate the life of this music legend and his birthday. Since Kuti's death in 1997, there has been a revival of his influence in music and popular culture, culminating in another re-release of his catalog controlled by UMG , Broadway , and off-Broadway shows, and new bands, such as Antibalas , who carry
6208-459: The native "tinker pan". Tony Allen , Kuti's drummer of twenty years, was instrumental in the creation of Afrobeat. Kuti once stated that "there would be no Afrobeat without Tony Allen". Tony Allen's drumming notably makes sparing use of 2 & 4 backbeat style playing, instead opting for outlining the time in shuffling hard-bop fashion, while maintaining a strong downbeat. There are clear audible musical similarities between Kuti's compositions and
6305-563: The point that I have to make Africans aware of the fact that Egyptian civilization belongs to the African. So that was the reason why I changed the name of my band to Egypt 80." Kuti continued to record albums and tour the country. He further infuriated the political establishment by implicating ITT Corporation 's vice-president, Moshood Abiola , and Obasanjo in the popular 25-minute political screed entitled "I.T.T. (International Thief-Thief)". In 1984, Muhammadu Buhari 's government, of which Kuti
6402-560: The political climate of most of the African countries in the 1970s, many of which were dealing with political injustice and military corruption while recovering from the transition from colonial governments to self-determination. As the genre spread throughout the African continent, many bands took up the style. The recordings of these bands and their songs were rarely heard or exported outside the originating countries but many can now be found on compilation albums and CDs from specialist record shops. Many jazz musicians have been attracted to
6499-415: The popularization of his music. They were dressed colorfully and wore makeup all over their bodies that expressed their visual creativity. The singers of the group played a backup role for Kuti, usually echoing his words or humming along, while the dancers would put on a performance of an erotic manner. This began to spark controversy due to the nature of their involvement with Kuti's political tone, along with
6596-411: The realities of corruption and socio-economic inequality in Africa. Kuti's political statements could be heard throughout Africa. Kuti's open vocalization of the violent and oppressive regime controlling Nigeria did not come without consequence. He was arrested on over 200 different occasions and spent time in jail, including his longest stint of 20 months after his arrest in 1984. On top of jail time,
6693-566: The reality that a lot of the women were young. Kuti was part of an Afrocentric consciousness movement that was founded on and delivered through his music. In an interview included in Hank Bordowitz's Noise of the World , Kuti stated: Music is supposed to have an effect. If you're playing music and people don't feel something, you're not doing shit. That's what African music is about. When you hear something, you must move. I want to move people to dance, but also to think. Music wants to dictate
6790-469: The role of leading Kuti's former band Egypt 80. As of 2022 , the band is still active, releasing music under the moniker Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 . Kuti's musical style is called Afrobeat . It is a style he largely created, and is a complex fusion of jazz , funk , highlife , and traditional Nigerian and African chants and rhythms. It contains elements of psychedelic soul and has similarities to James Brown 's music. Afrobeat also borrows heavily from
6887-510: The same 26 discs for distribution in the United States (where they replaced the titles issues by MCA ) and the UK. In 2009, Universal created a new deal for the US and Europe , with Knitting Factory Records and PIAS respectively, which included the release of the Broadway cast recording of the musical Fela! In 2013, FKO Ltd., the entity that owned the rights to all of Kuti's compositions,
6984-437: The same. Afrobeat evolved in Nigeria in the late 1960s by Fela Anikulapo Kuti , (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun) who, with drummer Tony Allen , experimented with different contemporary music of that time. Afrobeat was influenced by a combination of different genres, such as highlife , fuji , and jùjú , as well as Yoruba vocal traditions, rhythm, and instruments. In the late 1950s, Kuti left Lagos to study abroad at
7081-638: The scene. Many others have cited Afrobeat as an influence, like Daptone Records-adjacent groups The Budos Band and El Michels Affair . The horn section of Antibalas have been guest musicians on TV on the Radio 's highly acclaimed 2008 album Dear Science , as well as on British band Foals ' 2008 album Antidotes . Further examples are Val Veneto, Radio Bantu, Tam Tam Afrobeat, Combo Makabro, Marabunta Orquesta, Minga!, Antropofonica, Guanabana Afrobeat Orquesta, El Gran Capitan, Morbo y Mambo, Luka Afrobeat Orquesta or NikiLauda. Some Afrobeat influence can also be found in
7178-483: The script (along with Jones) and obtained producer backing from Jay-Z and Will Smith , among others. On 4 May 2010, Fela! was nominated for 11 Tony Awards , including Best Musical , Best Book of a Musical , Best Direction of a Musical for Bill T. Jones, Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Sahr Ngaujah , and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Lillias White . In 2011, the London production of Fela! (staged at
7275-743: The shows, including Denzel Washington , Madonna, Sting, Spike Lee (who saw it eight times), Kofi Annan , and Michelle Obama . Michelle Williams , former singer of girl group Destiny's Child , was cast as the role of Sandra Izsadore. Fela Kuti's music has been sampled by various hip-hop musicians such as Missy Elliott , J. Cole , and Kanye West , as well as other popular acts such as Beyoncé . The "Festival de Afrobeat Independiente" (FAI) takes place regularly in Buenos Aires , where regional bands as well as renown Afrobeat acts perform. Fela Kuti Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti ; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997)
7372-442: The socio-economic and political problems that plagued the African people. Corruption was one of the worst political problems facing Africa in the 1970s and Nigeria was among the most corrupt countries. Its government rigged elections and performed coups that ultimately worsened poverty, economic inequality, unemployment, and political instability, further promoting corruption and crime. Kuti's protest songs covered themes inspired by
7469-463: The tour. Initially panned by critics, "Fuss And Fight" drew its share of negative, or at the very least, suspicious, press upon its release. Long accustomed to Fela-esque prototypes, purists found the group's radical take on Afrobeat not to their liking. Although initially stung by the lukewarm response, Lugo quickly set off to write Kokolo's second album during a stay in Amsterdam in 2003, noting only
7566-523: The track "Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be the Same)", a tribute to Kuti, through whom Allen and Masekela first met in the 1970s. Kuti's songs "Zombie" & "Sorrow Tears and Blood" has appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: IV , and he was posthumously nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. In 2021, Hulu released a six-episode documentary miniseries, McCartney 3,2,1 , in which Paul McCartney
7663-518: The work of electric-era Miles Davis , Sly Stone and Afrofunk pioneer Orlando Julius . Kuti's band was notable for featuring two baritone saxophones when most groups only used one. This is a common technique in African and African-influenced musical styles and can be seen in funk and hip hop . His bands sometimes performed with two bassists at the same time both playing interlocking melodies and rhythms. There were always two or more guitarists. The electric West African style guitar in Afrobeat bands
7760-620: The year: the first was in Accra , in which rioting broke out during the song "Zombie", which caused Kuti to be banned from entering Ghana ; the second was after the Berlin Jazz Festival when most of Kuti's musicians deserted him due to rumours that he planned to use all of the proceeds to fund his presidential campaign. In 1978 Fela performed at the Berliner Jazztage in Berlin with his band Africa 70. Disappointed by their fees, Tony Allen,
7857-607: The zombie metaphor to describe the Nigerian military's methods. The album was a massive success and infuriated the government, who raided the Kalakuta Republic with 1,000 soldiers. During the raid, Kuti was severely beaten, and his elderly mother (the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria) was fatally injured after being thrown from a window. The commune was burnt down, and Kuti's studio, instruments, and master tapes were destroyed. Kuti claimed that he would have been killed had it not been for
7954-429: Was a Nigerian musician and political activist. He is regarded as the principal innovator of Afrobeat , a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz . At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers". AllMusic described him as "a musical and sociopolitical voice" of international significance. Kuti
8051-555: Was a vocal opponent, jailed him on a charge of currency smuggling . Amnesty International and others denounced the charges as politically motivated. Amnesty designated him a prisoner of conscience , and other human rights groups also took up his case. After 20 months, General Ibrahim Babangida released him from prison. On his release, Kuti divorced his 12 remaining wives, citing "marriage brings jealousy and selfishness" since his wives would regularly compete for superiority. Kuti continued to release albums with Egypt 80 and toured in
8148-652: Was acquired by BMG Rights Management . In 2003, the Black President exhibition debuted at the New Museum for Contemporary Art, New York, and featured concerts, symposia, films, and 39 international artists' works. American singer Bilal recorded a remake of Kuti's 1977 song " Sorrow Tears and Blood " for his second album, Love for Sale , featuring a guest rap by Common . Bilal cited Kuti's mix of jazz and folk tastes as an influence on his music. The 2007 film The Visitor , directed by Thomas McCarthy , depicted
8245-525: Was also an outspoken critic of the United States. At a meeting during his 1981 Amsterdam tour, he "complained about the psychological warfare that American organizations like ITT and the CIA waged against developing nations in terms of language". Because terms such as Third World , undeveloped , or non-aligned countries imply inferiority, Kuti felt they should not be used. Kuti is remembered as an influential icon who voiced his opinions on matters that affected
8342-581: Was an anti-colonial feminist , and his father, Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti , was an Anglican minister, school principal, and the first president of the Nigeria Union of Teachers . Kuti's parents both played active roles in the anti-colonial movement in Nigeria, most notably the Abeokuta Women's Riots which was led by his mother in 1946. His brothers Beko Ransome-Kuti and Olikoye Ransome-Kuti , both medical doctors , were well known nationally. Kuti
8439-608: Was destroyed in a 1978 raid that injured Kuti and his mother. He was jailed by the government of Muhammadu Buhari in 1984, but released after 20 months. He continued to record and perform through the 1980s and 1990s. Since his death in 1997, reissues and compilations of his music have been overseen by his son, Femi Kuti . Kuti was born into the Ransome-Kuti family , an upper-middle-class family , on 15 October 1938, in Abeokuta , Colonial Nigeria . His mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti ,
8536-529: Was interested in African-American politics, Smith would make it her duty to inform Kuti of current events; in return, Kuti would fill her in on African culture. Since Kuti stayed at Smith's house and spent so much time with her, he started to re-evaluate his music genre. That was when Kuti realized that he was not playing African music. From that day forward, Kuti changed his sound and the message behind his music. Upon arriving in Nigeria, Kuti had also changed
8633-452: Was one of many reasons that his music never reached a substantial degree of popularity outside Africa. His LP records frequently had one 30-minute track per side. Typically there is an "instrumental introduction" jam section of the song roughly 10–15 minutes long before Kuti starts singing the "main" part of the song, featuring his lyrics and singing, for another 10–15 minutes. On some recordings, his songs are divided into two parts: Part 1 being
8730-484: Was partially born out of an attempt to distinguish Fela Kuti's music from the soul music of American artists such as James Brown . Prevalent in his and Lagbaja 's music are native Nigerian harmonies and rhythms, taking contrasting elements and combining, modernizing, and improvising upon them. Politics is essential to Afrobeat, due to Kuti using social criticism to pave the way for change. His message can be described as confrontational and controversial, which relates to
8827-640: Was released by London taste-maker Adrian Gibson's Freestyle Records imprint in 2004. The enthusiastic response to More Consideration allowed the band to reach a broader audience and to perform on some of the world's premier stages, from the main stage of The Montreal International Jazz Festival , Glastonbury Festival and scores of others around the world, where they shared the spotlight with acts ranging from Roots Manuva , Manu DiBango , Taj Mahal , Isaac Hayes , Zap Mama and Gilles Peterson to Chic , Pete Rock , The Itals , Bloodhound Gang , Roy Ayers and Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 . Also during this time,
8924-552: Was released on the Milan -based Record Kicks label in February 2009 and the band soon followed its release with its most extensive tour schedule to date. Kokolo continued to further expand their sound via the group's fifth studio album, " 100 Fevers ", released in January 2017. The work featured songs influenced by Afrodisco, contemporary club rhythms and West-African Afrofunk . In 2017, German Hip-Hop supergroup Fünf Sterne deluxe featured
9021-468: Was rooted in New York's downtown hardcore punk and rock scenes, associating with groups such as Bad Brains , Agnostic Front , Cro-Mags , Gorilla Biscuits , Jawbreaker , Youth of Today , Anthrax , Leeway and Warzone . Warzone 's lead singer, Raymond "Raybeez" Barbieri was a close personal friend of Lugo and an early mentor on the ins-and-outs of independent music, inspiring the DIY ethic that would become
9118-479: Was suffering from an illness for which he was refusing treatment. However, there had been no confirmed statement from Kuti about this speculation. On 3 August 1997, Kuti's brother Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, already a prominent AIDS activist and former Minister of Health , announced that Kuti had died on the previous day from complications related to AIDS. Kuti had been an AIDS denialist , and his widow maintained that he did not die of AIDS. His youngest son Seun took
9215-509: Was taken from a 1970s term, " cocolo ", that originated in parts of the Caribbean and was later used in New York City's Latin communities, often as a pejorative, to describe non- Hispanic African descendants, many of whom were fans of Afro music. Kokolo aimed to invert the negative connotation of the term through the positivity in their music. Prior to founding Kokolo, Lugo's musical background
9312-443: Was the son of Nigerian women's rights activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti . After early experiences abroad, he and his band Africa '70 (featuring drummer and musical director Tony Allen ) shot to stardom in Nigeria during the 1970s, during which he was an outspoken critic and target of Nigeria's military juntas . In 1970, he founded the Kalakuta Republic commune, which declared itself independent from military rule. The commune
9409-408: Was unpopular with the ruling government, and raids on the Kalakuta Republic were frequent. During 1972, Ginger Baker recorded Stratavarious , with Kuti appearing alongside vocalist and guitarist Bobby Tench . Around this time, Kuti became even more involved with the Yoruba religion . In 1977, Kuti and Africa 70 released the album Zombie , which heavily criticized Nigerian soldiers, and used
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