Fela Anikulapo Kuti, born in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 1938, was a singer-compos… Read Full Bio ↴Fela Anikulapo Kuti, born in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 1938, was a singer-composer, trumpet, sax and keyboard player, bandleader, and politician.
Kuti was one of Africa's most controversial musicians and throughout his life he continued to fight for the rights of the common man (and woman) despite vilification, harassment, and even imprisonment by the government of Nigeria.
Born to Yoruban parents, Kuti was strongly influenced by both parents, his mother being Funmilayo, a leading figure in the nationalist struggle. Practically all of his records are dominated by political events and discussions from the approach of Pan-Africanism.
In 1954, Kuti joined the Cool Cats as a singer in that highlife band (highlife being the rage of the Lagos music scene at the time). During this period Kuti developed his own unusual sound which he described as highlife-jazz. In 1968 Kuti announced the arrival of Afro-beat, within the year was promoting his sound all over the USA on a 10-month tour where he became influenced by American jazz.
When he returned to his homeland he opened a nightclub, the Shrine, and changed the name of his band to Africa 70 (and later to Egypt 80). His bands traditionally included the typical huge line-up consisting of many singers and dancers, numerous saxophonists, trumpeteers, drummers, percussionists, and of course, many guitarists blending African rhythms and jazz horn lines with politicized song lyrics.
His music was intricate, rather than calling it Afro-beat you might more arguably consider it Afro-jazz. Entire recordings often consisted of just a few songs and this propensity for jamming set up a roadblock for Fela to attain commercial acceptance in the United States. He also abhored performing a song after recording it, and this led to audience disinterest in the U.S. where the people wanted their music to be recognizable hits.
Kuti continued his outspoken attacks on the Nigerian government. When the people returned to power in 1979, Kuti began his own political party - MOP (Movement of the People). The military returned to power in 1983 and within the year Kuti was sentenced to five years in prison on a spurious currency smuggling charge. He was released in 1986 after yet another change of government.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti died on Saturday, August 2, 1997, at 4pm (local time) in Lagos, Nigeria. It had been rumoured for some time that Fela had a serious illness he was refusing treatment for, many said he was suffering from prostate cancer. But as it turns out, Fela died from complications due to AIDS. As Fela's brother, Olikoye Ransome Kuti, said at a news conference: "The immediate cause of death of Fela was heart failure, but there were many complications arising from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome".
Fela was a man with great influence in the African music world, he is irreplaceable and his presence will be sorely misssed.
Kuti was one of Africa's most controversial musicians and throughout his life he continued to fight for the rights of the common man (and woman) despite vilification, harassment, and even imprisonment by the government of Nigeria.
Born to Yoruban parents, Kuti was strongly influenced by both parents, his mother being Funmilayo, a leading figure in the nationalist struggle. Practically all of his records are dominated by political events and discussions from the approach of Pan-Africanism.
In 1954, Kuti joined the Cool Cats as a singer in that highlife band (highlife being the rage of the Lagos music scene at the time). During this period Kuti developed his own unusual sound which he described as highlife-jazz. In 1968 Kuti announced the arrival of Afro-beat, within the year was promoting his sound all over the USA on a 10-month tour where he became influenced by American jazz.
When he returned to his homeland he opened a nightclub, the Shrine, and changed the name of his band to Africa 70 (and later to Egypt 80). His bands traditionally included the typical huge line-up consisting of many singers and dancers, numerous saxophonists, trumpeteers, drummers, percussionists, and of course, many guitarists blending African rhythms and jazz horn lines with politicized song lyrics.
His music was intricate, rather than calling it Afro-beat you might more arguably consider it Afro-jazz. Entire recordings often consisted of just a few songs and this propensity for jamming set up a roadblock for Fela to attain commercial acceptance in the United States. He also abhored performing a song after recording it, and this led to audience disinterest in the U.S. where the people wanted their music to be recognizable hits.
Kuti continued his outspoken attacks on the Nigerian government. When the people returned to power in 1979, Kuti began his own political party - MOP (Movement of the People). The military returned to power in 1983 and within the year Kuti was sentenced to five years in prison on a spurious currency smuggling charge. He was released in 1986 after yet another change of government.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti died on Saturday, August 2, 1997, at 4pm (local time) in Lagos, Nigeria. It had been rumoured for some time that Fela had a serious illness he was refusing treatment for, many said he was suffering from prostate cancer. But as it turns out, Fela died from complications due to AIDS. As Fela's brother, Olikoye Ransome Kuti, said at a news conference: "The immediate cause of death of Fela was heart failure, but there were many complications arising from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome".
Fela was a man with great influence in the African music world, he is irreplaceable and his presence will be sorely misssed.
Underground System
Fela Anikulapo Kuti & Egypt '80 Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Underground System' by these artists:
Fela Kuti I don sing song for the great African men I don…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Fela Anikulapo Kuti:
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@mecom3450
（コーラス）5:15
We be about 14 of us
We de make one club together
Everything na turn by turn }(4ce)
Reach-chairman na turn by turn
俺たち、14人
一緒にクラブを作るんだ
全部代わる代わる
順番に議長のところまで進んでいこう
（メインソングの一部）17:28
when no de fear to talk di truth
Yes O!!
Him name na President Sankara
Yes O!!
恐れずに真実を語る男そうとも！！
やつの名はサンカラ大統領
（中間部）18:58
When e reach sankaras turn to be chairman
African leaders dem start to fear
Di underground system in their lives
Di show of corruption and destruction
サンカラが議長になったら
アフリカの指導者達は恐れ始める
やつらの生活のなかにある地下組織
そこには腐敗と崩壊しかない
（サビの一節)20:25
Dem go kill Sankara O
Ye e Ye O！！
やつらはサンカラを殺す
YE E YE E O
（最終部）21:34
if dem kill sankara nko
dem shoot me today e no go possible tommorow (to end)
if dem kill sankara nko
dem no go fil kill him story O
if dem kill sankara nko }
Di blood a gog e for dem head O }(2ce)
if dem kill sankara nko }
Africa must reach where im go reach }(to end)22:20
やつらがサンカラを殺したら
今日俺は撃たれるだろう、多分明日かもしれない
やつらがサンカラを殺しても
やつの歴史を消すことはできない
やつらがサンカラを殺しても
やつらの神が血を流すことになる
やつらがサンカラを殺したら
俺が進む場所へアフリカ人も進むべきだ
@oluggbal3005
I will never forget the comprehensive show when the jamaican reggae band " Third World" walked into shrine whilst Fela was playing this tune...Baba was on the second set of horn arrangement as they walked in...there was such look of admiraton on the face of one of the members of the Third world band....it was as if he was seeing the impossible happen before his face as he made his way to baba's corner as his guest for the night.....the band was in sync, everyone was on ther A game...possibly the best moment i have heard this tune played both in real life and recorded version....the synergy between every member of the band was on point.....What a great night it was then....im.so.glad i witnessed that moment!!! That look on his face just stayed with me since then and its what comes to mind whenever i listen to this tune....
@Babaogun
Thanks for sharing this story!
@tdilla73foreala39
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
@misterwales4963
Reading this gives me a satisfaction and I'm happy for you that you witnessed such greatness
@abubakarlabran6996
I was at the shrine that day, I am one the guys fela gave name at the opposite side he normally seat he use to call us internal busy body boys, we disturb and yab him a lot on fridays / Saturday shows, rest well Abami.
@koris6145
@@abubakarlabran6996 lol, Baba with yabis see name o
@chinonsoobinna2626
The secret of Life, is to have no Fear.
@newtclovers
A picture of Sankara playing the guitar got me here strangely enough, haha. Good music, I love this.
@MrJohnnyride
Me too!
@bwifpunish
@@MrJohnnyride Me three