HMV Magazine ranked him as #46 on a list of the 100 most influential musicians of the 20th century.
The musical style performed by Fela Kuti is called Afrobeat, which is essentially a fusion of jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional Yoruban chants and rhythms. It is characterized by having African-style percussion, vocals, and musical structure, along with jazzy, funky horn sections. The endless groove is also used, in which a base rhythm of drums, shekere, muted guitar, and bass guitar are repeated throughout the song. His band was notable for featuring two baritone saxophones, whereas most groups using this instrument only use one. This is a common technique in African and African-influenced musical styles, and can be seen in funk and hip-hop. Some elements often present in Fela's music are the call-and-response within the chorus and figurative but simple lyrics. Fela's songs were almost always over 10 minutes in length, some reaching the 20- or even 30-minute marks, while some unreleased tracks would last up to 45 minutes when performed live. This was one of many reasons that his music never reached a substantial degree of popularity outside of Africa. His songs were mostly sung in Nigerian pidgin, although he also performed a few songs in the Yoruba language. Fela's main instruments were the saxophone and the keyboards, but he also played the trumpet, guitar, and took the occasional drum solo. Fela refused to perform songs again after he had already recorded them, which also hindered his popularity outside Africa. Fela was known for his showmanship, and his concerts were often quite outlandish and wild. He referred to his stage act as the Underground Spiritual Game.
Fela was born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, to a middle-class family. His mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was a feminist activist in the anti-colonial movement and his father, Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, a Protestant minister and school Principal, was the first president of the Nigerian Union of Teachers. His brothers, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti and Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti,both medical doctors, are both well known in Nigeria.
Fela was sent to London in 1958 to study medicine but decided to study music instead at the Trinity College of Music. While there, he formed the band Koola Lobitos, playing a style of music that he would later call Afrobeat. The style was a fusion of American Jazz, psychedelic rock, and Funk with West African Highlife. In 1961, Fela married his first wife, Remilekun (Remi) Taylor, with whom he would have three children (Femi, Yeni, and Sola). In 1963, Fela moved back to Nigeria, re-formed Koola Lobitos and trained as a radio producer for the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. In 1969, Fela took the band to the United States. While there, Fela discovered the Black power movement through Sandra Smith (now Isidore)—a partisan of the Black Panther Party—which would heavily influence his music and political views and renamed the band Nigeria ’70. Soon, the Immigration and Naturalization Service was tipped off by a promoter that Fela and his band were in the US without work permits. The band then performed a quick recording session in Los Angeles that would later be released as The '69 Los Angeles Sessions.
Fela and his band, renamed Africa '70, returned to Nigeria. He then formed the Kalakuta Republic, a commune, a recording studio, and a home for many connected to the band that he later declared independent from the Nigerian state. Fela set up a nightclub in the Empire Hotel, named the Afro-Spot and then the Afrika Shrine, where he performed regularly. Fela also changed his middle name to Anikulapo (meaning "he who carries death in his pouch"), stating that his original middle name of Ransome was a slave name. The recordings continued, and the music became more politically motivated. Fela's music became very popular among the Nigerian public and Africans in general. In fact, he made the decision to sing in Pidgin English so that his music could be enjoyed by individuals all over Africa, where the local languages spoken are very diverse and numerous. As popular as Fela's music had become in Nigeria and elsewhere, it was also very unpopular with the ruling government, and raids on the Kalakuta Republic were frequent. In 1974 the police arrived with a search warrant and a cannabis joint, which they had intended to plant on Fela. He became wise to this and swallowed the joint. In response, the police took him into custody and waited to examine his feces. Fela enlisted the help of his prison mates and gave the police someone else's feces, and Fela was freed. He then recounted this tale in his release Expensive Shit (now released together with "He Miss Road" as Expensive Shit/He Miss Road).
In 1977 Fela and the Afrika ’70 released the hit album Zombie, a scathing attack on Nigerian soldiers using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military. The album was a smash hit with the people and infuriated the government, setting off a vicious attack against the Kalakuta Republic, during which one thousand soldiers attacked the commune. Fela was severely beaten, and his elderly mother was thrown from a window, causing fatal injuries. The Kalakuta Republic was burned, and Fela's studio, instruments, and master tapes were destroyed. Fela claimed that he would have been killed if it were not for the intervention of a commanding officer as he was being beaten. Fela's response to the attack was to deliver his mother's coffin to the main army barrack in Lagos and write two songs, "Coffin for Head of State" and "Unknown Soldier," referencing the official inquiry that claimed the commune had been destroyed by an unknown soldier.
Fela and his band then took residence in Crossroads Hotel as the Shrine had been destroyed along with his commune. In 1978 Fela married 27 women, many of whom were his dancers, composers, and singers to mark the anniversary of the attack on the Kalakuta Republic. Later, he was to adopt a rotation system of keeping only twelve simultaneous wives. The year was also marked by two notorious concerts, the first in Accra in which riots broke out during the song "Zombie," which led to Fela being banned from entering Ghana. The second was at the Berlin Jazz Festival after which most of Fela's musicians deserted him, due to rumors that Fela was planning to use the entirety of the proceeds to fund his presidential campaign.
Despite the massive setbacks, Fela was determined to come back. He formed his own political party, which he called 'Movement of the People'. In 1979 he put himself forward for President in Nigeria's first elections for more than a decade but his candidature was refused. At this time, Fela created a new band called Egypt 80 and continued to record albums and tour the country. He further infuriated the political establishment by dropping the names of ITT vice-president Moshood Abiola and then General Olusegun Obasanjo at the end of a hot-selling 25-minute political screed titled "I. T. T. (International Thief Thief)."
In 1984, he was again attacked by the Military government, who jailed him on a dubious charge of currency smuggling. His case was taken up by several human-rights groups, and after 20 months, he was released from prison by General Ibrahim Babangida. On his release he divorced his 12 remaining wives, saying that "marriage brings jealousy and selfishness." Once again, Fela continued to release albums with Egypt 80, made a number of successful tours of the United States and Europe and also continued to be politically active. In 1986, Fela performed in Giants Stadium in New Jersey as part of the Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope concert, sharing the bill with Bono, Carlos Santana, and the Neville Brothers. In 1989, Fela & Egypt 80 released the anti-apartheid "Beasts of No Nation" album that depicts on its cover U.S. President Ronald Reagan, UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and South African Prime Minister P.W. Botha with fangs dripping blood.
His album output slowed in the 1990s, and eventually he stopped releasing albums altogether. The battle against military corruption in Nigeria was taking its toll, especially during the rise of dictator Sani Abacha. Rumors were also spreading that he was suffering from an illness for which he was refusing treatment. On 3 August 1997, Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, already a prominent AIDS activist and former Minister of Health, stunned the nation by announcing his younger brother's death a day earlier from Kaposi's sarcoma brought on by AIDS. (Their younger brother Beko was in jail at this time at the hand of Abacha for political activity). More than a million people attended Fela's funeral at the site of the old Shrine compound. A new Africa Shrine has opened since Fela's death in a different section of Lagos under the supervision of his son Femi Kuti.
Africa Centre Of The World
Fela Kuti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
volver a enloquecer por alguien y enamorarme
seguramente volver a caer allí
besare la tierra negra y volveré a pararme
que cada día sea el primero del resto
el truco esta en estar bromeando aunque me encuentre molesto
yo, voy a jugarme cada dólar por esto, más, más, más, flow más honesto
quiero viajar y conocer lugares increíbles
hacer del café de tus ojos mi combustible
de mis besos un convertible
que conduzca y luzca en busca de tu brusca boca imposible
yo, quiero ser libre y feliz con lo que hago
con la banda tocar en un bar de blues en chicago
hoy, pido otro trago para toda la orquesta
¿para qué mesa me dijo? para nuestra.
Antes de morir necesito una fiesta
Un beso, una siesta, una noche como esta
Antes de morir necesito una respuesta
Una canción honesta, un romance a la nuestra Antes de morir contare mis secretos
los más ingenuos y los más perversos
que mi intención no fue llegar a esto
mi inquietud de volarme los sesos
y en cada momento vivirlo fuego a dentro
sin importar si me quemo o muero
es la soledad a lo que más le temo
y pasar mis días sin sentir un solo beso
Antes de morir necesito una fiesta
Un beso, una siesta, una noche como esta
Antes de morir necesito una respuesta
Una canción honesta, un romance a la nuestra Antes de morir quiero dejar de estar triste
si ya es muy tarde quiero morir de la risa
voy a extraviar tus cosquillas en mi camisa
y donde vayas tocare mi jazz hasta que te conquiste
si callas te daré besos, si gritas poca atención
parar las manecillas quitar la tención
quiero más nillas, más, más inspiración
extraviar mi ego más a jazz de todo y pedir perdón
quiero volver a jugar futbol descalzo en el barro
montarme en un taxi y decir siga a ese carro
quiero arroparme contigo y viajar en tren
vivir en tu cien, recitar amen en vez de amén
quiero caerme bien, contarme un buen chiste
y perdonarme por dejarme hacer todo lo que me hiciste
antes de morir quiero morir sin afán
y ser fan de mi gente antes que ser un rockstar
Antes de morir necesito una fiesta
un beso, una siesta, una noche como esta
antes de morir necesito una respuesta
una canción honesta, un romance a la nuestra Antes de morir necesito una fiesta
antes de morir necesito una respuesta Una canción honesta, un romance a la nuestra
(una noche como esta)
The song "Africa Centre of the World" by Fela Kuti is a celebration of African culture and unity, with a focus on the continent's historical and symbolic significance. The lyrics express a desire to live life to the fullest before death, with a focus on romantic relationships, personal freedom, and experiencing all that the world has to offer.
The opening lines of the song express a longing to believe in something and to fall in love. The singer speaks of a desire to experience the world fully, even if it means falling and getting back up again. The song goes on to mention the need for honesty and authenticity in personal relationships, a desire to explore new places and ideas, and a fear of loneliness.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of urgency and a desire to make the most of life before it's too late. The singer longs for meaningful experiences and moments of joy and connection, while also acknowledging the darker aspects of life. Ultimately, the song is a call to embrace life fully and to find joy and meaning in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Antes de morir quiero volver a creer volver a enloquecer por alguien y enamorarme seguramente volver a caer allí besare la tierra negra y volveré a pararme
Before I die, I want to believe and go crazy for someone again, and I will surely fall in that same place. I will kiss the black earth and rise up again.
que cada día sea el primero del resto el truco esta en estar bromeando aunque me encuentre molesto yo, voy a jugarme cada dólar por esto, más, más, más, flow más honesto
Every day should feel like a fresh start, and the trick is to keep joking even when I'm annoyed. I'll risk all my money for this, for a more honest flow.
quiero viajar y conocer lugares increíbles hacer del café de tus ojos mi combustible de mis besos un convertible que conduzca y luzca en busca de tu brusca boca imposible
I want to travel and explore incredible places, make the coffee in your eyes my fuel, turn my kisses into a car that searches and shines for your impossible, harsh mouth.
yo, quiero ser libre y feliz con lo que hago con la banda tocar en un bar de blues en chicago hoy, pido otro trago para toda la orquesta ¿para qué mesa me dijo? para nuestra.
I want to be free and happy doing what I love, playing with my band in a blues bar in Chicago. Today, I'll order another drink for the whole orchestra. What table should I say it's for? Ours.
Antes de morir necesito una fiesta Un beso, una siesta, una noche como esta Antes de morir necesito una respuesta Una canción honesta, un romance a la nuestra
Before I die, I need a party, a kiss, a nap, a night like this. I need an answer, an honest song, a romance like ours.
Antes de morir contare mis secretos los más ingenuos y los más perversos que mi intención no fue llegar a esto mi inquietud de volarme los sesos y en cada momento vivirlo fuego a dentro sin importar si me quemo o muero es la soledad a lo que más le temo y pasar mis días sin sentir un solo beso
Before I die, I will confess my secrets, the innocent and the perverted ones. My intention was not to end up like this; my anxiety makes me want to blow my mind, to feel every moment burning inside, even if I get hurt or die. It's loneliness that scares me the most, spending my days without feeling a single kiss.
Antes de morir quiero dejar de estar triste si ya es muy tarde quiero morir de la risa voy a extraviar tus cosquillas en mi camisa y donde vayas tocare mi jazz hasta que te conquiste
Before I die, I want to stop being sad. If it's already too late, I want to die laughing. I will keep your tickles in my shirt and play my jazz wherever you go until I conquer you.
si callas te daré besos, si gritas poca atención parar las manecillas quitar la tención quiero más nillas, más, más inspiración extraviar mi ego más a jazz de todo y pedir perdón
If you're quiet, I'll give you kisses. If you scream, little attention. I'll stop the clock and reduce the tension. I want more vanilla, more inspiration. I'll lose my ego in jazz and ask for forgiveness.
quiero volver a jugar futbol descalzo en el barro montarme en un taxi y decir siga a ese carro quiero arroparme contigo y viajar en tren vivir en tu cien, recitar amen en vez de amén quiero caerme bien, contarme un buen chiste y perdonarme por dejarme hacer todo lo que me hiciste antes de morir quiero morir sin afán y ser fan de mi gente antes que ser un rockstar
I want to play barefoot football in the mud again, hop in a taxi and say 'follow that car'. I want to snuggle up with you and travel by train, live in your hundred, recite 'Amen' instead of 'amen'. I want to make you laugh and forgive myself for letting you do what you did to me. Before I die, I want to die without rushing and be a fan of my people rather than a rockstar.
Antes de morir necesito una fiesta antes de morir necesito una respuesta Una canción honesta, un romance a la nuestra (una noche como esta)
Before I die, I need a party. Before I die, I need an answer. An honest song, a romance like ours. (A night like this).
Writer(s): Kuti Fela Anikulapo
Contributed by David V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DASViVoCompilationsMaker
“Black people all over the world,
set your minds to Africa!
African Americans,
set your minds to Africa!
African West Indians...
Africans in Europe,
set your minds to Africa!
We need Pan-Africanism!”.
Ayers tells me,
Africa Center of The World”
@deborahaigbedion6323
“África is the center of the world , check your world map and see”. Fela was a pure genius
@lagosbay
Africa is not d centre of d world, It is a sphere.
@shaspearman8647
Again. Check your world map
@Craig-gi9ol
@@lagosbay
❤❤
@montegodae1639
@@lagosbay😂😂😂😂
@ipolelawrenceochim6685
The greatest of all time. Always on point RIP Baba 70
@sojiadamo5212
Roy Ayres is on this album and a few other with the Great Man.
What a body of work our biggest brother has. Fela, one time!
@charlesnawhbilsi8465
Kologbo too on tenor.
@duncanmmabaso9553
Whats the name of the album..
@leishacoaltrain9804
This song is my literal heart