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.
You Gimme Shit I Give You Shit
Fela Kuti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
This matter dey vex me plenty
It should vex any African man plenty
Why son of man he still dey chop shit he him don′t know
He don't pass matter
He passe me
He don′t pass matter
He passe me
He don't pass matter
He passe me
He don't pass matter
He passe me
He don′t pass matter
He passe me
He don′t pass matter
He passe me
I had a discussion between a European man and myself
He dey bush and Shakara and Fege too
He don't pass matter
He passe me
He don′t pass matter
He passe me
He don't pass matter
He passe me
He don′t pass matter
He passe me
I have been in Nigeria for 25 years
Talko true
You don't know me I have o seventy company
Abaaa
Nine hundred seventy seven black man dey work for me
Talko true
B.A.C. engineer dem dey there too
Abaaa
You don′t know me I como from America
Talko true
My father he como from Englandy
Abaaa
Me I get ten motor car I dey use for myself
Talk o true
My company get two hundred and fifty motor
Abaaa
Your head of state him be my personal friend
Talko true
I dey for cocktail party wey he come yesterday
Abaaa
Seventy of your ministers dem dey there too
Talko true
I shake am o, I give am OGOGORO
The rest NNG wey dey inside my pocket
I dash am, he happy, he start to talk
Africa na great country dey better pass my own
Talk o true
Three of your ministers dem be my personal friend
Abaaa
One of them minister he give me contract
Talk o true
Seventy million o Naira contract
Abaaa
Me I dash am Mercedez Benz 280 SE
Talko true
I come dash am one biggy house for London Street
Abaaa
He no tell me more, I beg am
Him say him tired, then I asked him a question
About African people for him country wey like this
African man wey dey in your contry, wetty him get
He no get nothing
Tell me one more time I no hear you proper now
African man wey dey in your country, wetty him get
He no get nothing
He no get nothing ke
Kekekereikikongoneinaha
African man wey dey in your country, wetty him get
He no get nothing
Him get plenty money
He no get nothing
Him get plenty motor
He no get nothing
Plenty white man dey work for am
He no get nothing
Whom him be
He no be nothing
Where him dey
He no dey nothing
Wetty him get
He no get nothing
Whom him know
He no know nothing
Whom him be
He no bee nothing
Where him dey
He no dey nothing
Wetty him get
He no get nothing
Ah, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes, yes
This ya matter dey vex me plenty
It must vex any African man plenty
Why African man still be slave and him no know
In that case
So therefore
I am giving them serious warning
Anybody wey give us shit
Him go get his shit
Anybody wey give us shit
We go give am shit
Anybody wey give us shit
We go give am shit
Anybody wey give us shit
We go give am shit
Like Abiola him go get
Him go get his shit
Plenty plenty shit
We go give am shit
Like Abiola him go get
Him go get his shit
Ten pockets full of shit
We go give am shit
Plenty plenty shit
Him go get his shit
Plenty shit
We go give am shit
In that case
We go give am shit
So therefore
In that case
Him go get his shit
I'm giving them serious warning
Him go get his shit
Anybody wey give us shit
We go give am shit
Anybody wey give us shit
We go give am shit
Anybody wey give us shit
We go give am shit
Anybody wey give us shit
We go give am shit
Anybody wey give us shit
We go give am shit
The song "You Gimme Shit I Give You Shit" by Fela Kuti is a commentary on the difficulties African people face both within and outside their countries, as well as the corruption and exploitation of power by those in authority. The repeated phrase 'he don't pass matter, he passe me' indicates the frustration of the singer that despite being African himself, he is still subject to discrimination and exploitation. The lyrics also address the issue of African leaders who appear to be subservient to foreign powers or wealthy individuals, glossing over the desperate plight of their people. Fela Kuti promotes a message of self-respect, pride, and empowerment in the face of these challenges, declaring that anyone who gives Africa 'shit' will be given it back in kind.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1978 as part of Kuti's album 'Shuffering and Shmiling', which was composed during a period of political instability in Nigeria. The album was highly critical of the government, leading to Kuti being arrested and jailed on several occasions. Another fact is that the song was highly controversial at the time, as it directly attacked African leaders who were seen to be complicit in the exploitation of Africa's resources by foreign powers. Despite this, the song became hugely popular across the African continent, resonating with people who felt powerless against the forces of colonialism and corruption.
Another fact related to the song is that Fela Kuti was a prolific and influential musician, performing and recording music for over three decades. He is considered one of the founders of the Afrobeat genre, which mixes West African rhythms and instruments with jazz and funk. Kuti was known for challenging the status quo, speaking out against corrupt officials and advocating for social and political change through his music. He was also a human rights activist, using his music and influence to promote equality, justice, and freedom.
Another interesting fact is that Kuti's music had a significant impact on the global music scene, influencing artists such as Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, and David Byrne. The song "You Gimme Shit I Give You Shit" has been covered by a number of artists over the years, including Ginger Baker and N'Dea Davenport. The song's message still resonates with people today, highlighting the continued struggle for social and political justice across Africa and the world.
Chords: Unfortunately, we do not have the chords for this song.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Affirmative expression of agreement or acknowledgement
Yes, yes, yes
Affirmative expression of agreement or acknowledgement
This matter dey vex me plenty
This situation is causing me a great deal of frustration
It should vex any African man plenty
This situation should be frustrating to any African man
Why son of man he still dey chop shit he him don′t know
Why is man still subjecting himself to oppression he is not aware of
He don't pass matter
He is not important
He passe me
I am more important than him
I had a discussion between a European man and myself
I had a conversation with a man from Europe
He dey bush and Shakara and Fege too
He is pretentious and showy
I have been in Nigeria for 25 years
I have lived in Nigeria for 25 years
Talko true
That is the truth
You don't know me I have o seventy company
You do not know me, but I own 70 companies
Abaaa
Expression of emphasis or importance
Nine hundred seventy seven black man dey work for me
977 black men work for me
B.A.C. engineer dem dey there too
Even B.A.C. engineers work for me
You don't know me I como from America
You do not know me, but I am from America
My father he como from Englandy
My father is from England
Me I get ten motor car I dey use for myself
I have ten cars that I use for myself
Talk o true
That is the truth
My company get two hundred and fifty motor
My company has 250 cars
Your head of state him be my personal friend
Your head of state is my personal friend
I dey for cocktail party wey he come yesterday
I was at a cocktail party that he attended yesterday
Seventy of your ministers dem dey there too
70 of your ministers were also there
I shake am o, I give am OGOGORO
I greeted him and gave him OGOGORO
The rest NNG wey dey inside my pocket
I also had NNG in my pocket
I dash am, he happy, he start to talk
I gave him a gift and he became happy and started talking
Africa na great country dey better pass my own
Africa is a great country that is better than mine
Three of your ministers dem be my personal friend
I have three personal friends who are your ministers
One of them minister he give me contract
One of them gave me a contract
Seventy million o Naira contract
The contract was worth 70 million Naira
Me I dash am Mercedez Benz 280 SE
I gave him a Mercedes Benz 280 SE as a gift
I come dash am one biggy house for London Street
I gave him a big house on London Street
He no tell me more, I beg am
He did not tell me more, I asked him
Him say him tired, then I asked him a question
He said he was tired, then I asked him a question
About African people for him country wey like this
About African people in his country, which is like this
African man wey dey in your contry, wetty him get
What do African men in your country have?
He no get nothing
They have nothing
Tell me one more time I no hear you proper now
Please tell me one more time, I could not hear you properly
African man wey dey in your country, wetty him get
What do African men in your country have?
He no get nothing ke
They have nothing at all
Kekekereikikongoneinaha
Non-lexical, emotional expression
Him get plenty money
They have a lot of money
Him get plenty motor
They have a lot of cars
Plenty white man dey work for am
Many white men work for them
Whom him be
Who are they?
He no be nothing
They are nothing
Where him dey
Where are they?
He no dey nothing
They have nothing
Wetty him get
What do they have?
Whom him know
Who do they know?
He no know nothing
They know nothing
He no bee nothing
They are nothing
Ah, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
Expression of agreement or acknowledgement
This ya matter dey vex me plenty
This situation is causing me a great deal of frustration
It must vex any African man plenty
It should be frustrating to any African man
Why African man still be slave and him no know
Why are African men still oppressed without their awareness?
In that case
Under those circumstances
So therefore
Consequently
I am giving them serious warning
I am warning them seriously
Anybody wey give us shit
Anyone who treats us poorly
Him go get his shit
They will receive the same treatment
We go give am shit
We will treat them poorly
Like Abiola him go get
Like Abiola, who was also treated poorly
Plenty plenty shit
A lot of mistreatment
Ten pockets full of shit
Many pockets full of mistreatment
Plenty shit
A lot of mistreatment
I'm giving them serious warning
I am warning them seriously
Writer(s): Anikulapo Kuti Fela
Contributed by Ian B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@libadviser8793
1983, I heard Fela for the first time. I'm still hooked to this day. Who is still listening, 2023 😂😂
@verdmannlearningcentre3295
Heard the story behind creating this masterpiece, we dont have brave men as Fela today to face these greedy politicians and government
@medfitconsultant
This album was released way ahead of its time. A very jiving, jolly and jazzy track.
@siakatouray3899
Mr. Fela this music is much better than most music of today...we love your music so much! We listen to it every day!
@yasminesy3651
Every day!
@bradpatterson8085
Everyday!!!
@lukehauser1182
Lotta good music today that picks up on Fela's grooves - I'd say music just keeps getting better!
@uchenwa1
@@lukehauser1182
Better or less conscious?
@olanrewajulanre8235
@@lukehauser1182you don’t know shit, shut the fuck up goofball
@ProfessorQi
I love Fela. the most hypnotic grooves ever. As though that were not enough he is the authentic voice of truth,justice and struggle. I admire how he lived. So brave.