Femi was born in London on 16 June 1962 and grew up in the former Nigerian capital Lagos.
Like his father, Femi has shown a strong commitment to social and political causes throughout his career, but he differs in his religious views.
In 2001, Femi collaborated with a number of US musicians such as Common, Mos Def, and Jaguar Wright, on his Fight to Win album. This album was widely regarded as the most influential Neo-Afrobeat album of the early 21st century.
Scatta Head
Femi Kuti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ki lo de o
(Suke)
(Suke ri ye ye)
(Jang jaga juga ri ye re yu)
(A do ga de do ge)
(Jang jaga juga ri ye re do)
(Ara eh ye yi ye)
(Ara eh ye yi ye ye)
(Ara eh)
(Ara oro)
(Ara oro)
(Ara oro)
(Ara oro wo wo wo)
(Ara eh ye yi ye)
(Ara eh ye yi ye ye)
(Ara eh)
One plus one is two
Two plus two is four o
When you start to divide XYZ over one hundred and fifty five
You want to scatta your head
Scatta scatta (scatta your head o)
You want to scatta arigi ye ye ye ye
You want to scatta arigi ye ye (scatta your head o)
Uh Uh huh
Uh huh huh
Mhmm
Mhmm
Some like to drink beer
It's alright
Some like to drink stout
It's okay
When you start to mix whisky, gin and ogogoro together
You want to scatta your head
Scatta scatta (scatta your head o)
You want to scatta arigi ye ye ye ye (scatta your head o)
You want to scatta arigi ye ye (scatta your head o)
Uh Uh huh
Uh huh huh
Ye
°°°
You say you sabi fight o
You say you be karate expert o
You want to fight area boys wey carry stick and cutlass
You want to scatta your head
Scatta scatta (scatta your head o)
You want to scatta arigi ye ye ye ye (scatta your head o)
You want to scatta arigi ye ye (scatta your head o)
Scatta scatta
Scatta scatta
You hear me now (scatta your head o)
I tell you now
Uh
O dun o (scatta your head o)
Original
You hear me now (scatta your head o)
Government can scatta your head
You hear me now (scatta your head o)
Go-slow can scatta your head
Original (scatta your head o)
Cocaine can scatta your head
I tell you now (scatta your head o)
Woman can scatta your head
To fine o (scatta your head o)
Ikebe can scatta your head
Nla o (scatta your head o)
Breast can scatta your head
I tell you now (scatta your head o)
Landlord can scatta your head
I tell you now (scatta your head o)
Scatta scatta
Scatta scatta
Scatta scatta (scatta your head o)
Scatta scatta
Scatta scatta
Original (scatta your head o)
Scatta scatta
Scatta scatta
You hear me now
Oro ro
Oro ro ro
Oro
Oro ro ro ro
Oro
(Ara eh ye yi ye)
(Ara eh ye yi ye ye)
(Ara eh)
(Ara oro)
(Ara oro)
(Ara oro)
(Ara oro wo wo wo)
(Ara eh ye yi ye)
(Ara eh ye yi ye ye)
(Ara eh)
Ye
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Ye
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Ah
Where dem dey?
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Kasa ma ju'di yáşąn (ye)
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Ka sa ma judi yen
The lyrics to Femi Kuti's song "Scatta Head" explore the idea of losing control and "scattering your head" due to various influences such as alcohol, drugs, and even women. The song starts by questioning what is going on and repeating the phrase "ki lo de o" which means "what is happening." It then goes on to describe how when one starts to do certain things, such as dividing numbers or mixing different types of alcohol, they can lose control and feel like their head is scattering. The song also highlights the dangers of fighting and engaging in other risky behavior.
Throughout the song, Femi Kuti uses the phrase "scatta your head" as a metaphor for losing control and allowing outside influences to take over. He sings that things like the government, traffic, and even body parts such as breasts and buttocks can "scatta your head." The song also includes some lines in Yoruba, a West African language, which add to the cultural and rhythmic richness of the track.
Overall, "Scatta Head" is a cautionary tale about the importance of staying in control and avoiding situations that can lead to losing one's sense of self. It is a powerful and thought-provoking message that is conveyed through Femi Kuti's engaging and dynamic musical style.
Line by Line Meaning
Ki lo de o
What is happening?
Suke
One plus one equals two
(Suke ri ye ye)
Two plus two equals four
(Jang jaga juga ri ye re yu)
When you start to divide XYZ over one hundred and fifty five
(A do ga de do ge)
You want to scatter your head
(Jang jaga juga ri ye re do)
When you start to divide XYZ over one hundred and fifty five
(A da ga de do ge do)
You want to scatter your head
(Ara eh ye yi ye)
Some like to drink beer
(Ara eh ye yi ye ye)
Some like to drink stout
(Ara eh)
When you start to mix whisky, gin and ogogoro together
(Ara oro)
You want to scatter your head
(Ara oro wo wo wo)
You want to scatter your head
(Ara eh ye yi ye)
You say you know how to fight
(Ara eh ye yi ye ye)
You say you are a karate expert
(Ye)
You want to fight area boys who carry sticks and cutlasses
Scatta scatta (scatta your head o)
You want to scatter your head
Uh Uh huh
Murmured agreement
Uh huh huh
Murmured agreement
Mhmm
Murmured agreement
Ye
You want to scatter your head
Ka sa ma judi yáşąn (ye)
Where are they?
Writer(s): Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti
Contributed by Evelyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@attahnoah8966
Rock this song way back in 1999 while I was in SS 1 .
Omo mhen... This is evergreen.
Landlord can scatter your head oooo
@tompopus
From 7:24 my soul starts dancing 🕺🏿🎶
@dahiyehasana3993
Legend live's on
@Blessing_official007
Baba gave us memories Abeg
@dlilwon
The end part is just ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@SeaHorseNSparrow
You get it
@dlilwon
TIMELESS CANT STOP DANCING
@Prone2Thrill
I couldn't stop dancing in my seat at his concert until a girl had me come dance in the aisle with her for the rest of the show. Fela brought me here via KCRW radio.
@abdulkareemsisqothompson2147
I DON MISS SHRINE ALOT WHERE DEM DEY LIVE PERFORMANCE
@debidebs
Legendary