Story
Olufela Anikulapo Kuti (born October 15, 1938 – August 2, 1997), commonly known as Fela Kuti, is considered the King of Afrobeats.
Although he came late, his influence in the African music industry continues to pass from generation to generation.
During his life, he was a composer, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and political activist who had an African perspective.
Originally a jazz musician, Fela Kuti pioneered Afrobeat by combining traditional Yoruba percussion with American funk and jazz.
He is the father of musicians, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Kunle Anikulapo Kuti, Omosalewa Anikulapo Kuti, Sola Kuti, Motunrayo Anikulapo Kuti, and grandfather of Made Kuti, Rolari Segun and Ayomide Kuti.
Nigerian musician
Fela Kuti |
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 Fela Kuti: History, Biography, Photos |
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| Wiki Info & About Data | |
| First and last name: | Olufela Anikulapo Kuti |
| Stage name: | Fela Kuti |
| Born: | October 15, 1938 (58 years old) |
| Die: | August 2, 1997, Lagos |
| Place of birth: | Abeokuta, Ogun, Nigeria |
| State of origin: | Ogun State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Parents: | Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti |
| Children: | Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Kunle Anikulapo Kuti, Omosalewa Anikulapo Kuti, Sola Kuti, Motunrayo Anikulapo Kuti |
| Height: | do not apply |
| Siblings: | Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Dolupo Ransome-Kuti |
| Wife • Spouse: | Kikelomo Oseyni (m. 1978–1986), Sewaa Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Folake Oladejo (m. 1978–1986), Fehintola Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Omolara Shosanya (m. 1978–1986) , Aduni Idowu (m. 1978–1986), Shade Shodeinde (m. 1978–1986), Alake Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Adeola Williams (m. 1978–1986), Bose Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978– 1986), Kevwe Oghomienor (m. 1978–1986), Funmi Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Lara Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Suru Eriomola (m. 1978–1986), Ihase Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Najite Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Omolola Osaeti (m. 1978–1986), Emaruagheru Osawe (m. 1978–1986), Tokunbo Akran (m. 1978–1986), Damiregba Anikulapo Kuti (m. . . 1978–1986), Laide Anikulapo-Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Adejonwo Iyabode Oguntiro (m. 1978–1986), Tejumade Adebiyi (m. 1978–1986), Ronke Edason (m. 1978–1986), Omowunmi Afesumo (m. 1978–1986), Omowunmi Oyedele (m. 1978–1986), Naa Lamiley (m. 1978–1986), Remilekun Taylor (m. 1978–1986) |
| Job: | Singer • Activist |
| Net value: | 200,000-300,000 USD |
Early life
Fela Kuti was born into the family of Pastor Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti and Chief (Mrs.) Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti on October 15, 1938. He was born in the city of Abeokuta during the colonial period.
He comes from an influential middle-class family. His father was a school principal, an Anglican minister and the pioneering president of the Nigeria Union of Teachers. While his mother was a strong political activist, focusing more on women’s rights. She is also credited as the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria.
Fela Kuti’s older brother is a renowned medical doctor and former minister of health, Chief (Dr.) Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, while his younger brother Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, is also a doctor medical. Fela Kuti is the first cousin of Nobel laureate and novelist Laurette, Wole Soyinka. Wole Soyinka’s mother was the sister of Fela Kuti’s father, Rev. Ransome-Kuti.
Fela Kuti spent his early years living with his family in Abeokuta before moving to England to attend university. He decided to change his surname from Ransome Kuti to Anikulapo Kuti because he considered his former surname to be a slave name.
Education
Fela Kuti completed his secondary education at Abeokuta Grammar School. Although he was sent to London to study medicine, he chose to study music instead.
He enrolled at Trinity College of Music, developed an interest in trumpet, and graduated after three years of study.
Career
While in England, Fela Kuti formed a band called Koola Lobitos, playing a fusion of jazz and highlife in London clubs.
He returned to Nigeria in 1963, where he reformed Koola Lobitos. Additionally, he joined Victor Olaiya’s band for a while before looking for a new creative direction. It was during this period that he founded the Afrobeat genre and changed the name of his band to African 70. He later founded the Republic of Kalakuta, which served as a commune, recording studio, and home to most of the artists. his band member.
Fela Kuti also established a nightclub at the Empire Hotel, which he named Afro-Spot before changing the name to New Afrika Shrine. Fela Kuti sings in Pidgin English, allowing the multilingual Nigerian community to understand and enjoy his music. Pidgin English is a popular language in the country.
Fela Kuti and his band released the album Zombie in 1977, with a message aimed at the military government of the day. The album was a commercial success, selling thousands of copies.
Known for creating conscious political music, Fela Kuti is famous throughout Africa. He also went to Europe on tour, performing at various shows. One of the peculiarities of Fela Kuti’s music is that his songs are very long: 25-30 minutes. This is because he uses a lot of instruments in his songs and his lyrics are known for their call-and-response feel.
In 1979, Fela Kuti founded a political party, the People’s Movement (MOP) and intended to run for president, but the government prevented him from running. In 1980, he decided to form a new band called Egypt 80. He released the album Beasts Of No Nation in 1989.
Some other notable works of Fela Kuti are Why Black Men Dey Suffer, Live!, Open & Close, Shakara, Roforofo Fight, Gentleman, Expensive Shit, Confusion, Water No Get Enemy, JJD (Johnny Just Drop), Sorrows , Tears and Blood , Black President , Original Sufferer , Unknown Soldier , Army Disposition , Fractured Confusion , Swing and Shake , Deadlock , and Ladies .
A Pan-Africanist, Fela Kuti was jailed by the Buhari regime in 1984 because he was a vocal critic of the government. After twenty months in prison, he was released when General Ibrahim Babangida came to power. By the 1990s, Fela Kuti reduced the number of albums released and no longer toured Europe.
Personal life
In 1960, Fela Kuti married his first wife, Remilekun Taylor, who bore him three children: Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti and Sola Kuti. Yeni Kuti is his first child and eldest daughter, and Femi Kuti is his first son. His youngest son is Seun Kuti, who is in charge of the Egyptian Band 80.
Fela Kuti made headlines in the 1970s when he married 27 women on the same day. However, most of them divorced before they died.
Fela Kuti died after a long illness on August 2, 1997. His brother, Olikoye Kuti, revealed that Fela Kuti died due to complications related to AIDs. However, his family members denied this allegation.
In 1977, his homeland, the Kalakuta Republic, was invaded by 1000 soldiers, burning and destroying his property. He and his band members were also assaulted by soldiers. The attack was in response to his recently released album, Zombie, which the government deemed offensive.
All of Fela Kuti’s wives were Kikelomo Oseyni (m. 1978–1986), Sewaa Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Folake Oladejo (m. 1978–1986), Fehintola Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986) , Omolara Shosanya (m. 1978–1986), Aduni Idowu (m. 1978–1986), Shade Shodeinde (m. 1978–1986), Alake Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Adeola Williams (m. 1978– 1986), Bose Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Kevwe Oghomienor (m. 1978–1986), Funmi Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Lara Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Suru Eriomola (m. 1978–1986), Ihase Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Najite Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Omolola Osaeti (m. 1978–1986), Emaruagheru Osawe (m. 1978–1986), Tokunbo Akran (m. . 1978–1986), Damiregba Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Laide Anikulapo-Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Adejonwo Iyabode Oguntiro (m. 1978–1986), Tejumade Adebiyi (m. 1978–1986), Ronke Edason (m. 1978)–1986), Omowunmi Afesumo (m. 1978–1986), Omowunmi Oyedele (m. 1978–1986), Naa Lamiley (m. 1978–1986), and Remilekun Taylor (m. 1978–1986 ).
Net value
Throughout his life, Fela Kuti earned wealth from his record sales, tours, and music shows. He lived a simple but comfortable life.
Fela Kuti was able to amass a small fortune estimated at $200,000-300,000.
