Results for "Fela Kuti"

Fela Kuti

Born: October 15, 1938

Fela Kuti was one of Africa's most controversial musicians and throughout his life he continued to fight for the rights of the common man (and woman) despite vilification, harassment, and even imprisonment by the government of Nigeria.

Born to Yoruban parents, Kuti was strongly influenced by both parents, his mother being Funmilayo, a leading figure in the nationalist struggle. Practically all of his records are dominated by political events and discussions from the approach of Pan- Africanism.

In 1954, Kuti joined the Cool Cats as a singer in that highlife band (highlife being the rage of the Lagos music scene at the time). During this period Kuti developed his own unusual sound which he described as highlife-jazz. In 1968 Kuti announced the arrival of Afro-beat, within the year was promoting his sound all over the USA on a 10- month tour where he became influenced by American jazz. He did some recordings in that came to be known as the “'69 Los Angeles Sessions,” that were remarkable, an indication of a maturing sound and of the raucous, propulsive music that was to mark Fela's career. When he returned to his homeland he opened a nightclub, the Shrine, and changed the name of his band to Africa 70 (and later to Egypt 80).

Fela Kuti MFM Zoom Roundtable Discussion Set For April 19, 2024

April 13, 2024

MFM Presents “Music Is Essential," a Zoom Roundtable Discussion on the Legacy and Impact of Fela Kuti’s Music and Activism on the African Continent, with Special guests who knew or worked with the godfather of Afrobeat. Date: Friday, April 19, 2024—Time: 4:00-5:30 p.m. ET Venue: ZOOM—Ticket: $5 (up to 100 for sale. Save your seat ...

London Afrobeat Collective: Esengo

by Chris May
February 17, 2024

Back in the day, when Fela Kuti invented Afrobeat--and yes, unlike practically every other music to emerge in the 20th century, Afrobeat was indeed the creation of one person--the music served two functions: to champion the rights and aspirations of post-colonial Black Africans, particularly those at the bottom of the pyramid, and to provide a soundtrack ...

Coffin For Head Of State

By Fela Kuti

Label: Partisan / Knitting Factory
Released: 2021
Track listing: Coffin For Head Of State.

Army Arrangement

By Fela Kuti

Label: Partisan / Knitting Factory
Released: 2021
Track listing: Army Arrangement; Government Chicken Boy.

Yellow Fever

By Fela Kuti

Label: Partisan / Knitting Factory
Released: 2023
Track listing: Yellow Fever; Na Poi.

Roy Ayers: A Retrospective

by Jason Elias
November 20, 2023

Vibraphonist, singer and producer Roy Ayers is a master of many musical styles and genres, from acid-jazz, jazz-funk to romantic ballads and dance tracks. While many of his contemporaries seemed to fail when they tried different sounds, Ayers always made sure a certain of musicality and identity was apparent in all of his work.

Jean-Paul Bourelly: Black Lives - From Generation to Generation

by Vic Albani
September 26, 2023

Doppio CD o doppio vinile prodotto in HI-Res e con packaging di lusso dalla Jammin'colorS, agenzia per artisti jazz, world, funk, alternativi, hip-hop, electro e sperimentali nonché etichetta indipendente. Il lavoro che ha pubblicato in tanta pompa magna è un ampio collage di musica nera realizzato da 25 musicisti africani, caraibici e afroamericani guidati dalla visione ...

The Brighton Beat at The Peekskill Brewery

by Mike Jurkovic
September 13, 2023

The Brighton Beat Peekskill Brewery Peekskill, NY August 26, 2023 Seemingly never at a loss for a full bore groove or a reason to shake the dust up on the dance floor, the Brighton Beat--a full tilt band of eleven: five horns, two guitars, bass, drums, and two percussionists--took this riverside ...

Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids: Afro Futuristic Dreams

by Chris May
September 8, 2023

Idris Ackamoor paints on a big canvas, in vivid colours. Listening to the 2023 episode of his multi-decade Afrofuturist odyssey, there are times when he and The Pyramids stir memories of Fela Kuti's Afrika 70 and Egypt 80 bands. At other times, it is Sun Ra's Arkestra. Next up could be an unplugged Funkadelic. And there ...