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.
Egbe Mi O
Fela Kuti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sencilla, inteligente, tierna y a la vez sensual
La armonía de tu voz direccionando mi soñar
Me gustas porque contigo algún día podría escapar
Porque no tuve que buscar mas todo lo que anhelaba
Porque eres mi actriz favorita en el cinema de mi almohada
Porque eres esa hermosa loca enamorada
Me gustas porque tus besos saben a libertad
Y no te molesta que me la pase escuchando rap
Porque sabes cómo amar siempre en cualquier lugar
Por esas alas que me das cuando en tu piel quiero volar
Porque me gusta despertar y tenerte en mis brazos
Porque mis besos son pinceles dejando en tu espalda trazos
Tus latidos despacio marcando el ritmo del aire
Tu labial y mis canciones en un romántico baile
Comunicando en braille ese desasosiego en calma
Mientras surco con mis versos los rincones de tu alma.
Dime qué quieres que haga por ti
Tu mirada me intenta enamorar
Ya lo sabes, tú eres especial
Todo esto que te gusta lo puedes tomar.
Me gustas por la magia y la gracia que hay en tus ojos
Tus mejillas rosadas, tus hermosos labios rojos
Porque eres portada soho en cada edición de mi mente
Tenerte es estar fuerte, lucido y con buena suerte
Si suelo burlar la muerte cuando tomo tu mano
Me gustas tanto que este ramo de poemas dice te amo
Ese caminar extraño desnudo de tu locura
Verte hablar con propiedad de música y literatura
Ese no a la censura y tu facha de media noche
Igual mañana al despertar seguirá siendo mi fetiche
Junto a ese pequeño broche que a veces es imposible
Y que halla su frenesí solo cuando lo dejo libre
Me gusta ese lado sensible en donde se
Que mas que mi enamorada eres mi cómplice
Esa mujer sin límite que me hace sentir seguro
El que me gustas desde antes de conocerte te lo juro.
Dime qué quieres que haga por ti
Tu mirada me intenta enamorar
Ya lo sabes, tú eres especial
Todo esto que te gusta lo puedes tomar.
Me gusta tu cabello y ese destello de ser tan única
Me gustas casi como me gusta la música
Esa sonrisa simpática por la que me desvivo
Junto a esa fuerza mágica que me das cuando estoy herido
Ese gesto incomprendido sin explicación
Ese comportamiento sexy cuando estas de mal humor
A mí me gusta tu pasión, tus labios, tu cintura
Esos sonidos al dormir acordes a una partitura
Me gusta la aventura de volver a estar vivo
Solos tú y yo en compañía de Cupido
Alcohólico creativo en el anís de tu boca
El encanto de vivir hechizado si me tocas
Lo aplicada con tus notas, tu forma de caminar
El invicto que tenemos en este juego de amar
Esa forma de besar cada vez que estamos a solas
El color que diste en mí pintando con tus crayolas
Cuando dices que me adoras y que te quieres quedar
Tu sencilla, inteligente, tierna y a la vez sensual.
The lyrics to "Egbe Mi O" by Fela Kuti are in Yoruba, a language spoken in Nigeria, and translate to "Carry me, I want to die." The song is a somber reflection on the African political situation, specifically the military coup that took place in Nigeria in 1970. The lyrics express a hopelessness and a desire for release from the suffering that has been inflicted upon the people.
The opening instrumental section of the song features a mournful trumpet melody that sets the tone for the lyrics to come. As Fela Kuti sings, he is joined by a chorus of voices that add depth and emotion to the performance. The lyrics speak of the need for solidarity among the people, and a desire to be carried away from the despair of their situation. The song ends with a powerful instrumental outro that fades into silence, leaving the listener with a sense of the weight of the struggle.
Overall, "Egbe Mi O" is a powerful reflection on the state of African politics, and the deep sense of suffering that has been inflicted on the people. Fela Kuti was known for his politically charged music, and this song is a prime example of his ability to use his art to call attention to injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
Me gustas por lo que eres y es que tienes algo especial
I like you for who you are, there's something unique about you
Sencilla, inteligente, tierna y a la vez sensual
You're simple, smart, sweet yet sensual
La armonía de tu voz direccionando mi soñar
The harmony of your voice guides my dreams
Me gustas porque contigo algún día podría escapar
I like you because someday I could escape with you
Porque no tuve que buscar mas todo lo que anhelaba
I didn't have to look any further for everything I wanted
Porque eres mi actriz favorita en el cinema de mi almohada
You're my favorite actress in the cinema of my dreams
Porque eres esa hermosa loca enamorada
Because you're that beautiful crazy in love
Que se hizo la esperanza de un hombre que no cree en nada
You became the hope for a man who believed in nothing
Me gustas porque tus besos saben a libertad
I like your kisses because they taste like freedom
Y no te molesta que me la pase escuchando rap
It doesn't bother you that I listen to rap all the time
Porque sabes cómo amar siempre en cualquier lugar
You know how to love anywhere, anytime
Por esas alas que me das cuando en tu piel quiero volar
For the wings you give me when I want to fly on your skin
Porque me gusta despertar y tenerte en mis brazos
I like to wake up and have you in my arms
Porque mis besos son pinceles dejando en tu espalda trazos
My kisses are like brushes leaving traces on your back
Tus latidos despacio marcando el ritmo del aire
Your slow heartbeats marking the rhythm of the air
Tu labial y mis canciones en un romántico baile
Your lipstick and my songs in a romantic dance
Comunicando en braille ese desasosiego en calma
Communicating in Braille that restlessness in calm
Mientras surco con mis versos los rincones de tu alma.
As I navigate with my verses the corners of your soul
Dime qué quieres que haga por ti
Tell me what you want me to do for you
Tu mirada me intenta enamorar
Your gaze tries to make me fall in love
Ya lo sabes, tú eres especial
You already know, you're special
Todo esto que te gusta lo puedes tomar.
You can have everything that you like
Me gustas por la magia y la gracia que hay en tus ojos
I like you for the magic and grace in your eyes
Tus mejillas rosadas, tus hermosos labios rojos
Your pink cheeks, your beautiful red lips
Porque eres portada soho en cada edición de mi mente
Because you're the cover page in every edition of my mind
Tenerte es estar fuerte, lucido y con buena suerte
Having you makes me strong, smart and lucky
Si suelo burlar la muerte cuando tomo tu mano
If I usually cheat death when I hold your hand
Me gustas tanto que este ramo de poemas dice te amo
I like you so much that this bouquet of poems says I love you
Ese caminar extraño desnudo de tu locura
That strange walk naked in your madness
Verte hablar con propiedad de música y literatura
Seeing you talk with authority about music and literature
Ese no a la censura y tu facha de media noche
That no to censorship and your fashion of midnight
Igual mañana al despertar seguirá siendo mi fetiche
Tomorrow when I wake up, it will still be my fetish
Junto a ese pequeño broche que a veces es imposible
Along with that small clasp that is sometimes impossible
Y que halla su frenesí solo cuando lo dejo libre
And finds its frenzy only when I set it free
Me gusta ese lado sensible en donde se
I like that sensitive side where
Que mas que mi enamorada eres mi cómplice
More than my beloved, you're my accomplice
Esa mujer sin límite que me hace sentir seguro
That limitless woman who makes me feel safe
El que me gustas desde antes de conocerte te lo juro.
I swear I liked you before even meeting you
Me gusta tu cabello y ese destello de ser tan única
I like your hair and that sparkle of being so unique
Me gustas casi como me gusta la música
I almost like you as much as I like music
Esa sonrisa simpática por la que me desvivo
That nice smile that I'm crazy about
Junto a esa fuerza mágica que me das cuando estoy herido
Along with that magical strength you give me when I'm hurt
Ese gesto incomprendido sin explicación
That incomprehensible gesture without explanation
Ese comportamiento sexy cuando estas de mal humor
That sexy behavior when you're in a bad mood
A mí me gusta tu pasión, tus labios, tu cintura
I like your passion, your lips, your waist
Esos sonidos al dormir acordes a una partitura
Those sounds while you sleep in tune with a score
Me gusta la aventura de volver a estar vivo
I like the adventure of feeling alive again
Solos tú y yo en compañía de Cupido
Just you and me in the company of Cupid
Alcohólico creativo en el anís de tu boca
Creative alcoholic in the anise of your mouth
El encanto de vivir hechizado si me tocas
The charm of living enchanted if you touch me
Lo aplicada con tus notas, tu forma de caminar
The dedication with your notes, your way of walking
El invicto que tenemos en este juego de amar
The undefeated we have in this game of love
Esa forma de besar cada vez que estamos a solas
That way of kissing every time we're alone
El color que diste en mí pintando con tus crayolas
The color you gave me by painting with your crayons
Cuando dices que me adoras y que te quieres quedar
When you say you adore me and want to stay
Tu sencilla, inteligente, tierna y a la vez sensual.
You're simple, smart, sweet yet sensual
Contributed by Liam A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@adedejiadebayo4147
I remember when my brother bought this album (long play),we would play this track and Buy Africa in our small gramophone till no end. It was life in a village where gaslight was used to illuminate the darkness of the night at parties in the 70s. This man was, no doubt, an iconoclast. Good beats, solemn music, clear voice, danceable.......... Please continue to rest in peace. Your music is evergreen.
@guapis02
Amo sus sonidos! Sin duda es lo mejor que he escuchado hasta ahora... es algo que va más allá. Ahó Fela Kuti!
@jerardnijel
The origins of soul!! Straight from the mother land
@LeTroy1Omowale
When Fela and the whole band sang laaaa, la la la laaaaa, la la la at 11:26, he put DEATH IN HIS HANDS AND POCKET....I FELT THE SPIRITUAL POWER!!!!!!
@albertmerlew
for real man, i find myself playing that melody on guitar all the time i love it so much
@justinjay8957
Bro I came on YouTube just to see if anyone felt it. Shit spiritual ❤😊
@superduperefikboi
If you're a real musician, instrumentalist or producer and you don't have this sort of song in your archives, you have to review your craft... there's something for everyone to learn from this song
@marshallbenjamin5319
Amen
@OfftheChainz
Or even just a music fan.
@YYCkike
Oh man what memories from my childhood