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.
Custom Check Point
Fela Kuti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give me no no no
Give me no no no
No no no
Give me no no no
Give me no no no
Our Mama lie for down
Our Mama lie for down her back for ground
Our Papa lie for top dem fuck
Dem born me and you
Dem born we black people
Dem born me and you
Dem born we black people
I say our mama lie for down
Our Papa lie for top
Our Mama lie for down her back for ground
Our Papa lie for top dem fuck
Dem born me and you
Dem born we black people
Dem born me and you
Dem born we black people
For dis land we everybody dey
For dis land we everybody dey
For dis land we everybody dey
For dis land we everybody dey
For dis land we everybody dey
For dis land we everybody dey dey
Dem put bar for road (hey!)
Guard dem dey for road (hey!)
Dem put bar for road (hey!)
Guard dem dey for road (hey!)
Dem put stone too (hey!)
Dem block di road (hey!)
Dem hide for bush (hey!)
Dem put red light (hey!)
Gun dey on dem (hey!)
Bullet dey on dem (hey!)
Tear gas dey on dem (hey!)
Uniform dey on dem (hey!)
Everything dey on dem yes (hey!)
Dem put bar for road (hey!)
Guard dem dey for road (hey!)
Dem put bar for road (hey!)
Guard dem dey for road (hey!)
Dem put stone too (hey!)
Dem block di road (hey!)
Dem hide for bush (hey!)
Dem put red light (hey!)
Gun dey on dem (hey!)
Bullet dey on dem (hey!)
Tear gas dey on dem (hey!)
Uniform dey on dem (hey!)
Everything dey on dem (hey!)
Everything dey on dem (hey!)
Dem go say you no go pass (pass no more)
No go pass (pass no more)
No go pass (pass no more)
Say you no go pass (pass no more)
Me I dey come comeout make I pass (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
Me I dey come comeout make I pass (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
Me I dey come comeout make I pass (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
Me I dey come comeout make I pass (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
Na here dem born me and you together (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
Na here dem born me and you together (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
Me I dey come comeout make I pass (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
Me I dey come comeout make I pass (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
The lyrics of Fela Kuti’s “Custom Check Point” is a strong political statement against the Nigerian military government and their corrupt practices. Fela begins the song by saying “Give me no, no, no” which can be interpreted as his rejection of the government and their methods. He then goes on to shout out the lies of the government, stating that both the father and mother lie down, one on top and one on ground, to give birth to black people. This is a metaphor for the way the government oppresses and mistreats the people it is supposed to be serving.
Fela Kuti then talks about the different tactics the government uses to control the people. He mentions putting barriers and guards on the roads, blocking roads with stones, hiding in bushes, and even using tear gas and bullets to control the people. He tells the listener that they will say “you no go pass” (you can’t pass) and also mentions the use of uniforms and everything else they have to oppress the people. This is a reflection of how the government uses their power and control to instill fear and control the citizens.
The most powerful part of the song is when Fela Kuti proclaims that he is coming out to pass, despite all the government's tactics to stop him. He says, “Me I dey come come out make I pass, na here dem born me and you together.” This is the song’s climax, where Fela Kuti is trying to inspire courage and a sense of pride in his African roots, to remind people that they have the right to move freely and not be oppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me no no no
I don't want to hear any excuses or justifications for what's happening
Our Mama lie for down
Our mothers are buried in the ground
Our Papa lie for top
Our fathers have died on top of the ground
Our Mama lie for down her back for ground
Our mothers are buried face down in the ground
Our Papa lie for top dem fuck
Our fathers died because of the oppressive forces at the top of society
Dem born me and you
We were born into this world by these same mothers and fathers
Dem born we black people
As black people, we have a shared history, culture, and experience
For dis land we everybody dey
We are all living and struggling in this land together
Dem put bar for road (hey!)
The authorities have set up barriers and checkpoints on the roads
Guard dem dey for road (hey!)
The checkpoints are guarded by officials
Dem put stone too (hey!)
They've also put rocks in the way to block passage
Dem block di road (hey!)
They are actively blocking our movement
Dem hide for bush (hey!)
They are hiding and waiting in the bushes to catch us
Dem put red light (hey!)
They've put up warning signs or traffic lights to stop us in our tracks
Gun dey on dem (hey!)
The officials have guns to enforce their orders
Bullet dey on dem (hey!)
Violence can break out at any time
Tear gas dey on dem (hey!)
The authorities can use chemical weapons on us
Uniform dey on dem (hey!)
The officials are all wearing their badges and uniforms
Everything dey on dem yes (hey!)
They have all the power and control
Dem go say you no go pass (pass no more)
You will be told that you cannot pass through the barriers
Me I dey come comeout make I pass (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
But I am determined to find a way to pass the checkpoint
Na here dem born me and you together (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
This is where we were born and raised together
Me I dey come comeout make I pass (Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
I will do whatever it takes to overcome this oppression
(Custom se Kia Kia Kia)
I am appealing to a higher authority to help me pass through the checkpoint
Writer(s): Fela Anikulapo Kuti
Contributed by Isabella H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hondrjosef
Have been my greatest honour, my greatest pride, my finest moment in time to have sat next to him, watch him perform and lived in the same decade with him. An Enigma wrapped in a riddle inside a mystery.
@manuelnhanala5947
Fela is a great! I am pride to lived his history, his work, his fight for emancipation. Fela did not die because his legacy makes him alive in our days. Salute!!!!!!!
@MickAneworderfan
Wow, what a trip.. love the first minute transition from the organ to the horns.. but the whole performance is an absolute hypnotic masterpiece!
@opeyemieletu5379
I don't joke with the instrumental part of baba Fela's songs.
@kellyoku
Bless you Baba Kuti
@ajayikayode5716
I am speechless. Olufela great man, great life.
@louisotieno4712
Fantabulous I tell you. Pure magic
@jeffreywhitledge7929
thank you!!!!
@ntp1
That's that 🔥
@jultantendasilva8856
awesome!