Versions

Zombie
Fela Kuti Lyrics

Zombie o, zombie (zombie o, zombie)
Zombie o, zombie (zombie o, zombie)

Zombie no go go, unless you tell 'em to go (zombie)
Zombie no go stop, unless you tell 'em to stop (zombie)
Zombie no go turn, unless you tell 'em to turn (zombie)
Zombie no go think, unless you tell 'em to think (zombie)

Zombie o, zombie (zombie o, zombie)
Zombie o, zombie (zombie o, zombie)

Zombie no go go, unless you tell 'em to go (zombie)
Zombie no go stop, unless you tell 'em to stop (zombie)
Zombie no go turn, unless you tell 'em to turn (zombie)
Zombie no go think, unless you tell 'em to think (zombie)

Zombie o, zombie (zombie o, zombie)
Zombie o, zombie (zombie o, zombie)

Tell them to go straight
A joro, jara, joro
No break, no job, no sense
A joro, jara, joro
Tell 'em to go kill
A joro, jara, joro
No break, no job, no sense
A joro, jara, joro
Tell them to go quench
A joro, jara, joro
No break, no job, no sense
A joro, jara, joro

Go and kill (joro, jaro, joro)
Go and die (joro, jaro, joro)
Go and quench (joro, jaro, joro)
Put 'em for reverse (joro, jaro, joro)
Go and quench (joro, jaro, joro)
Go and kill (joro, jaro, joro)
Go and die (joro, jaro, joro)
Put 'em for reverse (joro, jaro, joro)
Go and die (joro, jaro, joro)
Go and quench (joro, jaro, joro)
Go and kill (joro, jaro, joro)
Put 'em for reverse (joro, jaro, joro)

Uh-huh
Joro, jara, joro
Zombie wey na one way
Joro, jara, joro
Zombie wey na one way
Joro, jara, joro
Zombie wey na one way
Joro, jara, joro

Attention (zombie), quick march
Slow march (zombie), left turn
Right turn (zombie), about turn
Double up (zombie), salute
Open your hat (zombie), stand at ease
Fall in (zombie), fall out
Fall down (zombie), get ready
Attention (zombie), quick march
Slow march (zombie), left turn
Right turn (zombie), about turn
Double up (zombie), salute
Open your hat (zombie), stand at ease
Fall in (zombie), fall out

Halt (zombie)
Order

Whoa
Attention (zombie), quick march
Slow march (zombie), left turn
Right turn (zombie), about turn
Double up (zombie), salute
Open your hat (zombie), stand at ease
Fall in (zombie), fall out
Fall down (zombie), get ready
Attention (zombie), quick march
Slow march (zombie), left turn
Right turn (zombie), about turn
Double up (zombie), salute
Open your hat (zombie), stand at ease
Fall in (zombie), fall out
Fall down (zombie), get ready

Halt
Order
One more time, everybody

Attention (zombie), quick march
Slow march (zombie), left turn
Right turn (zombie), about turn
Double up (zombie), salute
Open your hat (zombie), stand at ease
Fall in (zombie), fall out
Fall down (zombie), get ready
Attention (zombie), quick march
Slow march (zombie), left turn
Right turn (zombie), about turn
Double up (zombie), salute
Open your hat (zombie), stand at ease
Fall in (zombie), fall out
Fall down (zombie), get ready

Halt
Order
Dismiss

Zombie, zombie
Zombie, zombie
Zombie, zombie
Zombie, zombie
Zombie, zombie
Zombie, zombie
Zombie, zombie
Zombie, zombie
Zombie, zombie

Lyrics © F.K.O. Music, BMG Rights Management, EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING FRANCE, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG VM MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Kuti Fela Anikulapo

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

Zombie was first played by Fela Kuti and Africa 70 at FESTAC (Festival for Black Arts and Culture) in Lagos, Nigeria in 1977. The song's immediate popularity (it satirised the military government of the time) incurred the wrath of the government, and soldiers destroyed Kuti's home. He fled to Ghana and continued to perform Zombie there, at one point provoking a riot which resulted in the entire band being thrown out of the country. the song is said to have become popular throughout Africa Read Full BioZombie was first played by Fela Kuti and Africa 70 at FESTAC (Festival for Black Arts and Culture) in Lagos, Nigeria in 1977. The song's immediate popularity (it satirised the military government of the time) incurred the wrath of the government, and soldiers destroyed Kuti's home. He fled to Ghana and continued to perform Zombie there, at one point provoking a riot which resulted in the entire band being thrown out of the country. the song is said to have become popular throughout Africa, as a way of cocking a snook at the military governments which plagued many countries there.

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01Lady13:48

02Shakara

03Gentleman (Edit Version)11:00

04Water No Get Enemy (Edit Version)9:50

05Zombie12:23

PT12M23S

Fela Kuti

06Sorrow Tears and Blood

07No Agreement (Part 2)7:53

08Roforofo Fight15:41

09Shuffering and Shmiling11:59

10Coffin For Head of State13:19

11ITT (Part 2)13:42

12Army Arrangement (Part 2)0:01

13O.D.O.O. (Edit Version)6:53

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

ummeiguess

1y↑2

@Audio Pervert

the homophobia is something MANY ppl around the world have been taught

also Fela loved after the long history of "buck breaking" that was done to African men across the globe - obviously that's not the whole of The Gay Community - but it is what has been taught in words, in religious lies (things the Bible never said, but is still being blamed for) - but also in action

I don't condone hate on any level - but I do understand how it can form if ppl are treated violently - and don't really have any other examples to balance that out

I will say, from what I know, the women in his camp were there willingly - many cultures have polygamous marriages - so that's not something to look down on - it's just different from your understanding

in this case, he was rebelling against hard fundamentalist Christianity that had infiltrated his country - and like many race based, religious based, greed based occupations, he was taking back his cultural religion in a hard nosed way - he was Yoruba - and by tradition, he could have as many wives as would have him
- and yes he was flawed enough to have died of AIDS - like lots of ppl at that time - AIDS was at an ALL TIME high - and more deadly than this current pandemic

but that doesn't mean his music and his movement to overcome the specific govt oppression this songs talk about were irrelevant

many a "great" man did things that weren't great

MLK used to cheat on his wife - Kennedy had an all but open affair with Marilyn Monroe among others - Gandhi was racist - Every European "founding father" in the USA owned African Slaves, and/or were involved or complicit in Indigenous genocide - even Mother Theresa...(look it up)

let's just say many ppl that have done "great" things have also not been pristine in their deeds

it sounds like you don't grasp the full context and history of why this man was who he was, and why

All comments from YouTube:

Fela Kuti

7y↑1.1K

Hello everyone, and thank you all for watching Fela's Zombie on the "Official Fela Youtube Channel". We seen the amount of love this song gets around the world, so from us "Thank you very much :D".We would love you to continue the Fela Express on this channel by subscribing here ► https://goo.gl/8Q1pVw Take care and everyone say "Yeah Yeah" (y)

Daniel Henry

Qqq

Ouattara Rihanna

19w

Mercies of the lord oritse femi dagrin

maria mendoza

31w

Cornell Allen

Unnecessary Begging is one bad song. You show that saxophone no mercy

lloyd kiprono

65 More Replies...

Kevin Devine

31w↑48

As a white man living in the Midwest of the U.S.A. Fela touches my soul. His courage and amazing grooves should be an inspiration to us all!

Ezzy Pizzy

5y↑723

You gotta have had balls the size of a blue whale to speak of the military this way at the time he did. Much respect for this man.

Erin Threlkeld

He was not a punk.

James Nadell

Is there any equivalent on the music scene today? The ruling class has marginalized and negated these kinds of personalities from emerging by encapsulating the struggles of the people from which artists like Fela, Marley, Hendrix, Coltrane, etc. emerge.

timiyee tee

(

kiwidubz

15w

@staC 9102 the truth is the truth

staC 9102

15w

@kiwidubz lmao imagine quoting that crank Icke

10 More Replies...

Lake View

2y↑57

No one else on planet earth ever dropped an album that brought out a nation's military, except the almighty Fela.. Let that sink in.

tolu okunola

12w

Na only him ooo

tolu okunola

12w

Na only him ooo

Bolaji ADEBIYI

3y↑534

I was privileged to watch Fela perform this live. Fela was the most courageous Nigerian that ever lived.

Oluwasegun Obassa

25w

@nun tet that's a lie, the Mum was not killed for fighting for women rights stop fucking lying...

Christian Banks

30w

Fall in, fall out, fall down, get ready 2022 💚 🙌🏿💯🇬🇧🇳🇬

med de la vegaz

40w

Amen

nun tet

47w↑1

His mother was pretty courageous too. She was a feminine activist, killed for standing up for woman's rights in Nigeria. Fela Kuti comes from a powerful line of beautiful soul.

Chibueze Princewillchukwudi

1y↑1

Yes o most courageous man ever liveth in West Africa. And the most fearless black Activist on earth. A Man with consciousness and hearth of Gold.

15 More Replies...

Lucy Arqué

5y↑178

This guy's music is like nothing else I've ever heard. It's like it's from a higher plane

Salvador Fuentes

Afrobeat is so beautifully unique

Oluwasegun Obassa

25w↑1

It is from another plane... man was Spiritual

Tai Viinikka

You're right -- this is what it's like to listen to the birth of a new and brilliant kind of music.

andy Zipele

3y↑10

When I listen to this song I weep for my country called Nigeria.

Apostle Tone

7y↑783

This music was the making of Fela; not least for the brutal reaction of the Nigerian Army to his critique of their behaviour. I remember listening to the music as a 12 year old and saying to myself 'Oh, Fela will get into trouble for this.' And he sure did, But nobody imagined a 1000 soldiers matching on Kalakuta, manhandling his mother leading to her death, and destroying all copies of his original work to date ... Army Arrangement, Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense, Original Sufferhead and Beast of No Nation in the 80s are testimonies to Fela's irrepressive sense of fairness and justice for all of his countrymen. No hyperbole, Yoruba myself, Fela is my favourite Yoruba man and African. The Lord bless you for daring to speak truth to power. Rest in Peace - Anikulapo

NoName

...Mariam Makeba was something else, @DemGirlsWicked. I remember sitting through her FESTAC77 performancein Lagos, a spellbound kid utterly riveted and mesmerised as she did her thing on stage. She was a truly remarkable performer, easily a cut above the rest. Oh, it showed, and I suspect she knew she oozed star quality. We in Nigeria had a real special relationship with oppressed South Africans back then in those dark apartheid days (being a 'frontline state') - IIRC, our very own shiny, new, gee-whizz National Theatre in Lagos was opened by Ipi Tombi, the SA dance troupe, a few months before FESTAC77 (possibly October 1976). Tickets were a whopping ₦1.50 (stall seats). What a show. And how proud were we Nigerians of the NT? I still remember seeing epic Nigerian stage productions at the NT, including my favourite, "Langbodo".

Halycyon days from a long-forgotten era when we were young, carefree and absolutely 100% positive about Nigeria. <sigh>

DemGirlsWicked

@Lazy I Ranch Thank you,, I swear i have heard Miriam and i could tell she's South African but i never listened to her music,, Thanks for the link,, Your mama did a good one.. one love...

NMG

@Ayo Paul You cannot take your 12yrs old experience for everyone. I was knowledgeable to know what was happening at 12yrs.

Boss Man

1y↑1

@Fela Kuti my grandparents are Nigerian, I was raised in Britain....the view we get of Nigerians is not as powerful as the voice of this man Fela Kuti... Where are the real deal.Nigerians like Fela Kuti, please stand up....

Henry Shockem

True True True. It takes a helluva lot of courage to speak out that way living in a supressed society. Knowing your in gonna be in trouble deep! Can u imagine going to jail over there? Bye-bye civil rights. Man, what a Horror show.

22 More Replies...

Todd Kray

3y↑204

R.I.P Tony Allen, truly one of the most original drummers of all time

Alessio Basciani

2y↑2

Greatest of all time. GOAT.

Peter Onu

2y↑1

wow i remember the first time i visited fela shrine

ayo30s

3y↑4

No Doubt, R.I.P 👍🏾👊🏾✌🏾🇳🇬🇺🇸

Ash KG

3y↑6

Fuck, I was just about to comment praising the drums

Stuart Allan

3y↑6

Such a solid and funky drumbeat , we've just lost a true maestro rip Tony .

Emociónanime.

9w↑3

Gracias Fela por esta obra maestra. Saludos desde la República Dominicana 🇩🇴

Ugo

3y↑38

I'm in my 30s and remember my parents always listening to this song. Still gives me chills till this day. Brought back memories hearing it on Black lightning.

Nana Serwaah

41w

🤔

Shuaib Sumon

49w

🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿 same here 👌🏿

Seriously4ked

3y↑34

12 minutes of pure musical genius and a fat middle finger to the military dictatorship in Nigeria rolled into one truly magnificent masterpiece of a composition

Tom Cruz

5y↑406

One of the best middle finger songs of all time imo

DN

21w↑2

@Jack Johnson it depends how you see it. It costs him a lot, but his legacy is far greater than any Nigerian president or military general who has ever lived. His music is played in embassies, in gala events and so on. Even the U.S military plays his songs when they perform for the public. Fela used to say (i paraphrase) "I will be greater in death and all those people and their kids would feel shame". The man was just too different than the common individual.

Caleb

25w↑1

NO CAP 🤣

Sbusiso Mulambo

True

Tom Cruz

4y↑2

@Remi Bobby with that tool!

Remi

4y↑3

Tom Cruz I think that I’m Tom cruise

3 More Replies...

Comfort S

3y↑11

As a young girl growing up in moshalashi, Lagos. I grew up listening to his songs daily, instrumentals surpassing basic mindset opening doors to the problems of Nigeria. I am currently 16 moved out of Nigeria and reminisce how we took for granted such tunes and will play this for my generations to come and remind them of BABA 70 and his legacy.

surfbouy

3y↑64

I've made it one of my missions in life to introduce people to Fela's music.

surfbouy

3y↑1

@Jyestha King I fail to see the correlation between introducing people to great music and my proficiency as an individual. Could it be that you're talking nonsense? I think it is. Shoo, back to your hidey hole, and let the grown ups talk, child.

Kaci McDaniel

2y↑53

I'm not Nigerian but I was married to an Ibo and he introduced me to High Life and Fela has always been my most favorite of all the greats. Until this day after the separation of my marriage, I still listen to his great musical talent. To me he is the King of High life 👑 RIP Fela Anikupta Kuti 👑💖

Pedro Jacqueline

@James Ubong 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Adaeze Nebe

16w

@kreem Last a decade ago it was igbo😭💀 ibo was created for the white ppl that couldn’t say g in Igbo so u need to check ur history😭😭😭

Michael Anthony

17w↑1

This is not highlife this is afrobeat

kreem Last

18w↑1

@Adaeze Nebe it wasn't even, "lgbo" a decade ago. It is actually, "Heebo." Check your history.

Gem

24w↑1

@James Ubong he is right fela stayed in Ghana and he was inspired to create afrobeats so if you look at the genres of afro beats it includes highlife nobody is claiming anything no vex it's just facts, that's why fela has a song where he's singing using an Akan proverb from Ghana. Highlife existed long long before

5 More Replies...

Gagarin, O Cosmonauta Camarada

5y↑407

It pains me to realize how much more people should be opening their ears and minds to the Afrobeat King.

As long as i breathe, Brazil will continue to listen to him loud.
Long live Fela's ideals of a peaceful and musical land. Long live Kalakuta.

Gagarin, O Cosmonauta Camarada

@CRWS oh look, the bookreader that wants to sound fancy making a Basic grammar error.

Oh, you.

CRWS

@Gagarin, O Cosmonauta Camarada I must've hit a nerve. I suspect that is why you resorted to name calling & cursing.
To answer you're question, no.

CRWS

@Gagarin, O Cosmonauta Camarada I asked questions. If you think I'm judging learn the difference between questions and statements.

CRWS

2y↑1

@Gagarin, O Cosmonauta Camarada so the answer to my question is no.
Got it.
Call it what it is.

CRWS

2y↑1

ok but are you doing anything to counter racism in Brazil or just having a good time playing black music?

6 More Replies...

Shane Mccoy

3y↑18

I just can’t believe how expertly crafted this song is . Fucking AMAZING I could only ever hope and pray to be anywhere near a musician of his caliber

James Young

6y↑149

Fela Kuti, the godfather of Afrobeat

Manuk, Psiconauta del Inconsciente

7y↑105

A character truly larger than life. An icon, a genius, a visionary. R.I.P. Black President!

akinola Oyelola

1y↑9

Beautiful mix of energy, anger, groove and artistry.... Fela is legend

scott reynolds

4y↑36

there ain't one wrong step with this song, the soul the intent the artistry. It's a powerhouse of humanity

Ultramarine

4y↑582

I bet when the government was listening to this they had to try not to dance

Jumping Jack flash

11w

@ultramarine Ha ha ha ha

Glen Malesa

12w

🤣🤌

Bamba Bojang

14w

Definitely spot on 🤣🤣🤣

Messick

15w

Zombie no go’ dance unless you tell ‘em to dance

TM Nation

16w

On god 😂😂

10 More Replies...

beautifulcaramelman

11w↑3

Fela went hard on this one! He went deep! He's talking about sheeple! I'm just here shaking my body!

John Ohiokhuaobo Aigbokhaode

5y↑55

Fela was prophetic in his lyrics talking about the problems of Nigeria caused by bad leadership. The problems are still with us till this day.

carlos díaz

4y↑5

Que gran hallazgo he hecho hoy. Estoy leyendo lo que Wikipedia dice sobre este músico. Merece honores.

Pat Foley

3y↑17

Nigeria needs this same attitude now so they can get their country back. I’m a white dude from Mississippi and digging this music and the scream for freedom

Rise of the Divine Feminine

4y↑30

Fela Kuti was a revolutionary and used his talent and art to actually make an impact. So fucking important. He was a King! "Music is a spiritual thing. Don't mess play with music" -Fela Kuti.

Best Chairman

5y↑26

Fela the great prophet. No Nigerian musician will ever be like you, no one!
Respect, RIPP!

Estanislao

2y↑7

So privileged to be able to hear such inspiring art

Charles Kodua

4y↑49

One of the greatest Musician ever lived. And had the pleasure of seeing Him live.
Long Live Afro Beat.

ola dipo

2y↑6

Sharp, crisp horns and message. I've been listening to this song since I was about eight, now I'm 49. Great stuff.

Shane Mccoy

3y↑25

This music is so invigorating , colorful, hypnotnic , masterfully played and organized , there are also moments in a lot of these songs that are pure comedy ! ( for ex. In this song when fela mockingly shouts “ DIIISMISSED !! in a high pitch voice ) ... I just discovered this , water no get enemy, lady, No sleep yanga wake AM, and Couple other songs by Mr. Kuti a week or so ago and I am absolutely obsessed . Why did it take me so long to learn of this Brilliant Revolutionary Man ?!?

Xazzy Bwoii

1y↑1

There was one when he insulted religious leaders taking advantage of their members..that was my favourite 🤗

Otis West Fitness

2y↑5

Brave corageous souls like Fela who stand up for truth and rights will never die. Their memory will always live on

Olusola Olanrewaju

2y↑29

The Fulanis thought they could bury him. They thought they killed him. They jailed, destroy him but the fools didn’t know he is a seed. Once they buried the seed the glory is greater than when he was alive.

Baktok Nashak

Why do you like to bring ethnicity into everything, even when it had nothing to do with it ?

abdulmumin ali

16w

Sunday Adewusi was Fulani. And MD Yusuf who saved Fela and who Fela eulogised was Yoruba.

G-PRINCE

29w

@Iyiola Abosede obasanjo is a yoruba man being used as a puppet for the fulanis.

Iyiola Abosede

31w↑1

So obasonjo is fulani? Hm

Olusola Olanrewaju

1y↑1

He has always work against the Yorubas and work for the interest of the Fulanis.

2 More Replies...

Ellie Gray

3y↑11

Now here's a story about the power of music. Try telling a mass of armed soldiers it's "just a song". Amazing song with an incredible tragic story attached.

Alhassan Sulley

33w↑4

In 1971, I was privileged to watch him play Mr WHO ARE YOU live in Accra, and many could hear the vibrations some kilometers away.........it was AMAZING !!

Chika Rayleigh

4y↑44

This song is dedicated to all Nigerian soldiers from General to recruit.

Charles White

🤣, 🐐 comment walahi .

Usman Idris

Really?

Just HUMAN!!

2y↑1

😂😂😂😂 wicked ❤️❤️😂

godisgood chosen

2y↑1

Hahahaha u are wicked

Joseph Seidle

2y↑11

First time I heard this song was in 1977...The radio station I worked at got this album and put it in the trash...Was the best day of my life...I had found the king of Africa...FELA🔥🔥🔥

Suhe Bator

3y↑7

First time I heard this more then 10 years ago, but it still sounds briliant like first time. Still touches my soul.

samuel endeley

6y↑36

this instrumental is fucking good been on it since sunlight

Alberto Cano Navarro

3y↑63

Rest in peace Tony Allen, a legend forever.

YANFUL

28w

@Mtd George both schooled by E.T Mensah and Guy Warren

Mtd George

2y↑4

Fela and Tony Allen were both Yorubas from Yoruba NATION in the present day country called Nigeria

Jesus Eniyan

6y↑118

Those horns though, brilliant , captivating and intense all wrapped in one amazing track, iam still listening in 2050,

Rob Field

4y↑7

That first bridge, when they respond to Kuti's lead riffs with machine gun stacatto, is a brilliant piece of composition.

PORTALEJ

29w↑2

desde un rincón de mi caribe colombiano costa caribe estas canciones las escuchábamos en los pickup de nuestras ciudades con sentimiento y alegría a nuestros ancestros africanos años que no volverán hermosos años 70 de nuestra niñez

エミ

4y↑18

They play this at my job and I’m happy I found this masterpiece bc of it

Mark Pompeo

21w↑2

This song is so cool! I was led by a mention of Fela from a member of the old band The Talking Heads during an interview on the channel Professor of Rock, and I'm very happy for this! What wonderful music!

PORTALEJ

29w↑4

from a corner of my colombian caribbean caribbean coast we listened to these songs in the pickups of our cities with feeling and joy to our african ancestors years that will not return beautiful 70s of our childhood

Mojisola Wadsworth

4y↑10

Thanks to the Afrobeat historian (Chris May), the write up accompanying this song here sure sheds light on what happened. RIP Anikulapo. Baba '70. Me too say "yeah yeah!"

neo moagi

6y↑70

This is what we call music! It reminds me of my dad.

Martins Adegbite

If your dad was a officer, Fela is not hailing them he is insulting and dissing them ni

MichaelKB8-24

6y↑7

My condolences to your father sir. He clearly must have had a great taste in music :)

Baldo Quezada Martich

40w↑3

Lo mejor que he escuchado en muchos años. Encontré oro cuando escuché esta canción. Excelente, brutalmente hermosa.

Geroge .J Bradley

4y↑81

Am an American last time I visited Nigeria in 2001 visiting Fela shrine was the main reason, I got negative comments about traveling to Nigeria but i had fun and not all bad comments are true about Nigerians. Nigeria problems are the bad governments that was the weapon Fela used at them and his music lives on.

BBP

20w

@sovietchampagne fr

OMO ODUDUWA NI MI

47w

exactly but it was so painful we lost our hero star I pray may his soul rest in peaceful and perfectly

sovietchampagne

1y↑4

yep... I am Canadian and I have learned that the area we now call Nigeria has been the cradle of some incredible cultures and civilizations for a long, long time. I hope the absolute best for the future of Nigeria and its surrounding countries, because they have A LOT to show and teach to the rest of us.

Just HUMAN!!

2y↑1

True

Stanimir Kalchev

4y↑22

This song was written as a protest on what was happening in Nigeria back then. Of course, you can imagine that Fela's actions, alongside with the song itself, didn't make the government quite happy.
All this ended up in the government attacking his family. His mother was thrown from her balcony which costed her life.
All that tragedy didn't stop Fela from performing this song.

Robert

1y↑3

Just watched “Get on Up”, the biopic of James Brown. Made me think of Fela talking about visiting the US, and hearing James Brown for the first time. His idea of creating a fusion of African rhythms and Funk was brilliant!

Weston

3y↑85

I'd love to see the current protesters start yelling "Zombie" at the police while they're marching. The sentiment might be decades old, but it's still as relevant today as when Fela Kuti first sung the lyrics.

Mangas Coloradas

1y↑1

you live in a relatively free society not a military dictatorship. one dead black guy =/= authortarian hellscape

Diaka Salena Koroma

2y↑7

Here in 2021 and listening to this epic tune by our Legendary Fela! ✊🏾👑

Reefthebeef

2y↑10

So much feeling put into this song it makes me cry every time

mpendulo mkhonto

2y↑10

This song talks so much about the sars situation in Nigeria ,I stand in solidarity with Nigerian people from South Africa

Kikiope Oluwarore

2y↑125

With the current "Soro Soke" protests going on in Nigeria, this song couldn't be more relevant... And I feel renewed by the song.

Fred 777🦁

2y↑1

You are very beautiful

Blanca Nieto

2y↑2

Every where ? Music is the Truth

Francis Aweenagua

2y↑4

This song is more important now than ever

Francis Aweenagua

2y↑4

I totally agree with you

MSP soundtracks

31w↑4

The bass line is magical 🔥

Kurkushi

3y↑8

Proof that music can bring down corrupt government around the world. Thank you Fela Kuti.

Brian☯️

2y↑4

This man is so strange I've never came across someone with this much prophetic powers✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

Pete g

4y↑11

Saw Fema in Montreal about 10 yra ago, he played all his dads songs. That night will live long in the memory.

Rob Jones

2y↑3

Fela was a man of unbelievable courage.

Despite the incredible violence of the Nigerian Army against him and his followers,
he continued to goad the authorities with his brilliant music.
Even when he was offered vast sums of money by other record companies, he turned
them down. He was a true visionary who never sold out to anybody.

Alessio Basciani

2y↑4

One of the greatest album in the history of light music, " Remain in Light", by Talking Heads is strongly inspired by Fela. Expecially by Zombie. The rythm session and the chorus (voice in TH, winds in FK) are almost the same. But this is not a surprise. The only unique genre in the last 50 Years, about light music, is Afrobeat. Better, is Fela Kuti. Thank You Anikulapo.

Manlio Martínez Barona

3y↑9

Powerful message,I had o idea, now I love this song and Fela Kuti even more.
Saludos desde México

Rita Tatam

6w↑1

Resistance and resilience song, for ever in our hearts. Where I live, Halloween is New Earth Eve.

Memory of Fela Kuti’s mother will never be forgotten. ❤❤❤

Katrina Barber

2y↑3

Someone played this song in their live & it brought me here!

Reading this brings tears to my eyes! I stopped dancing 😔

Mark Horrocks

6y↑6

Brave genius - we could do with him being around right now.
Even Mr Ambience, Brian Eno, dances to this magnificent tune.
Tony Allen also deserving of a lot of credit for his magnificent shaping of Fela's Afrobeat (or African music, as Fela would have preferred) rhythms.

Bulan Xnoire

3y↑6

This's a quality pieces of Art in music history 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Pendamic vibes in 2020 take me back to this,
I'm lockdown myself with Fela Kuti.

pinojow

6y↑74

We'll never forget the ransacking of Kalakuta by zombies.

Jah ka

6y↑49

While Fela Kuti remain a musical genius and African statesman, even Obasanjo that commanded his inprisment, beating and detention will never be as popular as Fela

Fela's time is yet to come. Write it down.

Johnny P

3y↑67

Quite telling that the army responded to Fela's criticism of their violent and nonsensical mindset by... being more violent and nonsensical. Brilliant

Mr. Free

1y↑2

Telling anyone they are wrong only reinforces their conviction this is how our mind-ego naturally works.

Tony Beku

6y↑151

I remember when this tune first came out wow ! Oh so risky ! I was in secondary school the government of the day introduced two soldiers to every secondary school for discipline , their first day they were welcomed by this song 🤣🤣🤣

Turtle Sage

3y↑3

That is so badass!

Sweet magnolia

3y↑3

okay now that is iconic !

Mjenzi64

3y↑3

Wow!!

LOUIS OTIENO

3y↑10

You lucky bastard😆😂🤣😂😆😂

Danilo Rafael Nogueira

1y↑2

Tenho certeza que a inspiração para "Bogotá" do rapper Criolo, veio desta canção.
Esses ataques de 🎺 e trombone são extraordinários

Mishack Nthane

2y↑2

Before I was introduced to his music I thought you can only derive happiness from accumulating Wealth, Fela thought me to value life

ibro adan

3y↑7

can't get enough of this.

Eugenio Bacchini

5y↑5

Great song, great music! I love Fela!

Angel Of Death

2y↑1

This song was well over way ahead of it’s time hands down!!!... MUCH RESPECTS TO MR. FELA KUTI WHY HE WAS A REAL REVOLUTIONARY!!! #RESPECTS 🙏🏾

La Vaga

3y↑6

I LOVE YOU FELA! Wherever you are!! Shine on forefather <3

Aframaco

1y↑2

That aping of the military bugle at the end of this jam was ridiculously sublime as it was gloriously majestic!

Fela is KING 👑 👊🏾!

SUPERMAX

5y↑7

Respect to Fela Kuti.Greetings from Vienna Austria

Melisa Rodriguez

4y↑12

That band is so tight and then five minutes in the chanting vocals kickk in 420 OMG

antitribaliste

4y↑23

This song perfectly describes the current situation in my beloved DRCongo.

VotanLoad

3y↑4

Hello guys, thank you for sharing some greatest Afro Juju music. I am of an European background and always looking for inspiring cultures and music to learn about them.

OMO ODUDUWA NI MI

47w

it so nice

kemunto morang'a

2y↑3

im listening in 2021....this is beyond amazing

killahk94

40w↑3

I’m so glad I found Fela !!!man!!! I’m stuck I need every album

Um Bongo

6y↑272

If you dislike this song, you're a broken human

Otusajo Adesola

Nah zombie go thump down

The Black fortress Le baobab

3y↑1

Um Bongo EXACTLY!.

Grum Pee

3y↑3

Um Bongo unforgivably, those thumbs downed are✊hugs to those misguided zombies.

1 1 1

3y↑1

@Victor Wade dry

1 1 1

I swear!!!

1 More Replies...

Zaynah

3y↑7

Song is now featured in Black Lighting, Fela, u have come far🤩🥳🙏🏽✨

John Flushing

40w↑3

It gives me chills when at 5+ minutes in he starts to sing ZOMBIE!!!

Musinguzi Bamuturaki

3y↑1

Fela Kuti was a very strong man for he managed to stand up to the brutal army with his music! We need more of these type of artists in Africa.

Phillip Garjay INNIS

7y↑20

Great music......the groove is so intense!!!!!!!

Clout creator

2y↑43

This man just destroyed the army with no weapon, i would have retired if i was a soldier back then😂

WD Mombassa

6y↑3

thanks for this and the info... Fela is one of our legends, not just in musical entertainment but civil strives from government oppression.

Ucok Alpigari

3y↑6

Fela Kuti was a genius

MrHillbippie

7y↑33

this is totally fuckin bad ass. the groove is intense.

lazlo74

6y↑667

Fela knows full well that he's endangering his own life by writing these lyrics, but he just goes out of his way to stick his middle finger in front of the Nigerian soldiers and government anyway. If Fela isn't a badass I don't know what he is.

ummeiguess

1y↑2

ummeiguess

BLACK President!!! don't back down for no Zombie

Frank Hamed

Home of the brave

Audio Pervert

1y↑1

Given that Fela Kuti was deeply inspired by James Brown's success as a black man in America, yet few speak about the hate and prejudice that he harboured against homosexuality and certain white folks. Pathetic euro-centric institutions appointed Fela Kuti as an "ambassador of human rights". Kuti, a classic megalomaniac towards the end of his life, the erstwhile 'afro-cult' struck down by AIDS, he started calling his music “African classical music” – and is quoted in a new film saying "you wouldn’t expect composers like Mozart or Beethoven to write three-minute numbers, so why should I?" What's worse certain popular liberal musicians (Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel etc) remained 'mute' about Fela having multiple wives and spurting hatred for LGBTQ folks.

remiem6070

2y↑1

@lazlo74 Mother not grandmother!

18 More Replies...

sublime credo mpondo

3y↑84

WHO' S STILL LISTENING IT IN 2020???
FELA THE BEST.....RIP

Juan Isaac Casbis

2y↑2

2021 from México!!!

Midna Urthqua

2y↑3

2021....sharing it...the whole world has gone corrupt!

Dan-Andrei Năfureanu

3y↑5

Rest in peace Tony Allen! God bless his soul!

Tony Beku

5y↑8

A great man with vision and truth, with a message in his lyrics and music the Greatest and finest Yoruba ever R.I.P omo egba

Humberto Kehdy

5y↑1

Muito bom esse som!

ola dipo

2y↑3

Fela on the offensive. Taking no prisoners. He drew first blood, gut punching the festering system of tyranny. And the rest is history.

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