Burkina Faso’s President Thomas Sankara and Fela Kuti during the Panafrican Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in 1987.
felakuti
Tony Allen – Afrobeat Revolution
https://amf.didiermary.fr/tony-allen-afrobeat-revolution/
The Afrobeat Revolution started in Lagos at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation in 1963 when Tony Allen met Fela Kuti. Allen was working as studio engineer at the time and Kuti had been hired as a disc jockey with his own jazz request programme.
The Nigerian drummer Tony Allen is credited with creating Afrobeat along with […]
Edited 357d ago
Fela Kuti – Upside Down
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-upside-down/
From the LP “Upside Down” released in 1976 (CD release 1997).
Sandra, the woman who stood by Fela and also brought him in contact with the Black Panther during his transformation years in the United States, came back to visit a highly popular and successful Fela in Nigeria in 1976.
The track was written by […]
Edited 355d ago
The Recording Academy Announces 2026 Special Merit Award Honorees: Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Cher, #FelaKuti, Paul Simon, Whitney Houston & More.
https://www.grammy.com/news/special-merit-awards-2026-grammys-honorees-recording-academy
From the LP I.T.T. (International Thief Thief) released in 1979.
Fela and his political party Movement Of The People are banned from contesting Nigeria’s presidential election. Fela forms a new Afrika 70 and plays a comeback concert at the University of Ife. He also defies police opposition and opens a new Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, […]
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-international-thief-itt/
Edited 353d ago
Fela Kuti – Gentleman (LP)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-gentleman-lp/
1973’s “Gentleman” is the 7th in the series of celebratory Fela 50th Anniversary reissues.
Like Fela’s other early 70’s releases, he used each side of his LPs to create a deep groove that pulls the listener in and follows with metaphoric lyrics that call out and critique the corrupt hangover of colonialism. Gentleman is the […]
Edited 353d ago
Fela Kuti – Confusion Break Bones (C.B.B.)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-confusion-break-bones-cbb/
Confusion Break Bones is a long track (29:10) by Fela Kuti & Egypt 80 on their album “Underground System” from 1992.
“Fela releases Underground System, which will be the final album of newly recorded studio material to be issued during his lifetime. The album is inspired in part by the 1987 assassination of Fela’s friend, […]
Edited 352d ago
Fela Kuti – Mr Follow Follow
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-mr-follow-follow/
Fela Kuti’s Mr Follow Follow was released in 1976/77 on the Zombie album.
The song is about those who allow themselves to be led blindly by others.
“…if you dey follow them book! Na inside cupboard you go quench!… Cockroach dey! Rat dey!… Na inside darkness you go dey! If you have to follow them books, […]
Edited 351d ago
Afrobeat Brazil
https://amf.didiermary.fr/afrobeat-brazil/
Afrobeat has seen a solid surge of support for years through multiple reincarnations amongst the underground scene in Brazil. All of the state’s capital cities have at least a band championing the movement, as musicians from diverse corners of the contemporary Brazilian music scene get inspired by Afrobeat and infuse elements into their own work. […]
Fela Kuti Box Set – The Legacy
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-box-set-the-legacy/
The Fela Kuti Box Set curated by Idris Elba is out now! In addition, a short documentary entitled “Fela Kuti: The Legacy” is available for viewing (below), revealing the Afrobeat pioneer’s cultural impact.
Directed by Kayode Thomas, it delves into the profound influence Fela had on fashion, style, and culture, as well as his impactful […]
Edited 337d ago
Ezra Collective – Lady
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ezra-collective-lady/
“Our band has been paying tribute to Fela Kuti’s music since we first started releasing music,” Femi Koleoso, leader of the Afro-fusion quintet Ezra Collective, said.
A refreshing take by Ezra Collective on Fela Kuti’s 1972 classic, “Lady,” commissioned by the Fela Kuti estate, this record is part of the re-issue of Fela Kuti’s 1972 […]
Edited 318d ago
Fela Anikulapo Kuti - First European Tour (1981)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ops4V7S9tsc
"Exclusive musical documentary made in March 1981 during the First European Tour of Fela and the Africa 70. The concert was recorded at Forest National in Brussels on March 18, 1981."
More on AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/tag/felakuti/
Fela Kuti – Yellow Fever
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-yellow-fever/
“Yellow Fever”, released in 1976, is a scathing criticism of post-colonial Nigerians who cannot shake their “colonial mentality.” Fela rails on Nigerian (and African) women who bleach their skin as an act of beauty, contemptuously adding that, despite what they think, it only makes them less attractive.
Fela deplores the fashion among African women for […]
Edited 221d ago
Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has become the first African artist honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy.
He received his posthumous award during the 2026 Special Merit Awards, which took place in Los Angeles on 01/31/2026, alongside other international heavyweights, including Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon.
That award was received by his sons, Femi and Seun Kuti.
Edited 220d ago
Fela Anikulapo Kuti
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-anikulapo-kuti/
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, who died on this date aged 58, was a Nigerian bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, an African music genre that combines West African music with Funk and Jazz. [...]
Edited 46d ago
Fela Kuti – Shuffering & Shmiling
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-shuffering-shmiling/
From the LP “Shuffering and Shmiling” in 1978. Listen to the full track (21 minutes long), originally spanning two sides…
As Fela progressed as an artist, he also evolved into a political and social tour de force in Nigeria. In “Shuffering and Shmiling”, an expansive track spanning two sides and reaching over 20 minutes in […]
Edited 215d ago
Music is a Weapon
https://amf.didiermary.fr/music-is-a-weapon/
Music is a weapon of the future.
Music is the weapon of the progressives.
Music is the weapon of the givers of life.
As far as Africa is concerned music cannot be for enjoyment.
Music has to be for revolution.
Music is the weapon.
—Fela Kuti
My music fights against the system that teaches to live and die.
—Bob Marley
[…]
Edited 110d ago
Baloji – Buy Africa
https://amf.didiermary.fr/baloji-orchestre-katuba-kuku-buy-africa/
“Buy Africa” is a cover of Fela Kuti’s song by Baloji & L’Orchestre de la Katuba, Feat. Kuku for Red Hot + Fela, the tribute album released in 2013. The original song was recorded at Abbey Road for the album “London Scene” in 1971 (see below).
To understand where Fela’s musical quest […]
Edited 109d ago
Fela Kuti & Africa 70 – Pansa Pansa
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-africa-70-pansa-pansa/
This video for Pansa Pansa is one of the few pro-shot concerts of legendary musician Fela Kuti, playing with his band Africa 70 at the Jazz Festival in Berlin in 1978.
Underground System was among the better recordings of Fela’s late career, comprised of […]
Edited 107d ago
Lady cover for Red Hot + Fela
https://amf.didiermary.fr/cover-lady-tune-yards-angelique-kidjo-akua-naru/
A cover of Fela Kuti‘s Lady with tUnE-yArDs, Angelique Kidjo, ?uestlove & Akua Naru for the album Red Hot + Fela in 2013.
Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997)
All posts on AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/tag/felakuti/
Edited 46d ago
As you probably already know, following the posts here, I would never write this phrase: "his [Fela Kuti] influence persisted in contemporary Nigerian music, now called Afrobeats." Never...
https://africasacountry.com/2026/03/afrobeats-after-fela
BTW, Amapiano, used extensively in Wizkid's album, is from South Africa...
Thoughts On Fela
Brian Eno
Video recorded in 2013 for Fela's 75th birthday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tABl5cVKJhM
Dele Sosimi – Turbulent Times
https://amf.didiermary.fr/dele-sosimi-turbulent-times/
“Turbulent Times” is an album by musician and producer Dele Sosimi in 2002. Since mid-90s is based in London and words of the new generation of musicians, bands, and collectives emerging there (Kokoroko, Onipa, Keleketla!, etc.)
Dele’s career began when he joined Fela Kuti‘s Egypt 80, where he played keyboards for seven years (1979-1986). [...]
#AfroFunk #FelaKuti #FemiKuti #Jazz #Nigeria #Remixed #AfroBeat #AfroJazz
Edited 96d ago
Fela Kuti vs James Brown – Funky Black President
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-james-brown-funky-black-president/
Fela Brown (James Brown x Fela Kuti) feat. Jeru the Damaja – Funky Black President.
From Amerigo Gazaway presents… J.B. & The Soul Mates on the mixtape released in June 24, 2014: The Big Payback Vol. 3. Black President revisited
Also inside post: Professah Murder Feat. Ghostface Killah - Black President
Edited 40d ago