Fela Kuti

Rolling Stone Africa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nigerian Multi-Instrumentalist (Saxophone, Keyboard, Trumpet, Drums) · Vocalist · Composer · Activist · 1938-1997 · Afrobeat

Fast Facts

• Olufela Olusegun Oludoton Ransome-Kuti was born October 15, 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria. 
• His parents opposed the British colonial rule of Nigeria.
• Fela studied music in London at Trinity College of Music and played trumpet in the London jazz clubs after his studies.  He originally went to study medicine. 
• In addition to performing, Fela composed, arranged, and directed his band’s music, shaping the Afrobeat genre. 
• Afrobeat is a blend of jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional African rhythms.
• Formed the band Koola Lobitos in the 1960s, later evolved into Africa ’70 and Egypt ’80.
• Sang in English and Yoruba.
• In 1974, Kuti was framed by police and held in jail for three days.
• Fela’s lyrics criticizing the oppressive Nigerian government led to him being arrested more than 200 times.