i love you my glorious Nigerian brother. God gifted us with your passion. You will live in me the rest of my life! A hard core Mexican American admirer! May you rest in peace Noble Sir. Andres Terrazas
lol "Obasanjo turn vocalist"...this man must have been a prophet cos last week they showed Obasanjo on NTA international singing "I have decided to follow Jesus". I was like wtf??
All of Fela Anikulapo Kuti songs has a powerful meaning.....those that don't know will do well to listen....you will learn something...RIP Fela...rest well my brother....
It seems the only reason i heard of this man, is when i quit school. Cause if i was studying in school- to prepare myself to become a slave for this rotten system- i would never ever heard of this man. Its shocking that no one in my family, friends, and others never even spoke about him. A good example is Greece. They are trying to fight their government. Why don't we all do that? I know... It aint easy..
@texasB666 how did you know about fela anikulapo kuti? am always a bit curious to know how non nigerians find out about this african icon , even though in his lifetime he used to tour and do shows in western european countries particularly the usa, most europeans or americans find out about him by accident he had a huge cult following in his time though amonst westerners .
@SuperQueenofAfrica Wel actually yes :) I also discovered him by accident. I went to my sisters room because she has a television (i don't anymore) and i was merely going through some channels. It was about 10 a.m. and i stumbled on a documentary about Fela Kuti and was amazed. It made me angry and happy at the same time. It involved his music (which i like) but also his message which i like even more. Very brave man. An exemple for every artist and every human being for that matter.
@texasB666 his message is clear i remember it well at the time and his fights with the encumbunt military regime at the time . "army arrangement " is precisely what is says.. military control.. not sure which is worse though , the army boys or the corrupt politicans
@texasB666 he was a very brave man he died for his beliefs his mother died for her beliefs too.. she was an activist in nigeria a fighter for women's rights .. interesting family .
All revolutions start with the enlightened message of few visionaries, writers and artists the likes of Fela. The generations following Fela Kuti and Bob Marley are no longer duped by colonialist or imperialistic propaganda. The music of Fela has opened eyes and planted the seed for socio-political change in the 3rd World. Revolutions have now begun in Egypt and elsewhere in Africa just like Fela warned. And musically, he was just a GENIUS in harmonies and rhythms! Few equals in his time
@inxtrmis wow! i dont think the other poster had any idea of who fela was and just how his music encapsulated a generation not only in my country but outside it...
I swear Fela was almost like a prophet , all the things he said were gonna happen in his songs like 30 yrs ago are happening today. We miss you Fela !!!
Fela was way too far ahead of his time, the people he advocated for didn't even realise they were being mistreated. I doubt if they know it even today. Fela's activities would have birthed massive sociopolitical movements in more progressive societies; the type that engenders change that move societies forward.
The fact that we let him die without exploring his genius, his ideas and iconoclastic stance for possible advancement in our society is a knock on our academia, I think.
@botosh I share your sentiment. It would have been the best ruling in the world. A government who bring everyone too the same level. Although i fear that he might corrupt the nation in another form. Dont get me wrong, I love fela to the teeth because of his fight for the human race but there are somethings that he does that I dont like i.e the marijuana smoking. I visit the shrine every wednesday to listen to him I believe he is nt an ordinary man. His vision was great his way killed it.
FELA means For-Ever lives Africa... he might be dead now but his music will lives 4ever. Those corrupt leaders makes his life miserable when he was alive but they can't kill his music. Those leaders are all gone now and those remains will soon join you. R.I.P
@ EkereGbe, you have said it all and encompassed all that needs to be said about Fela. Like Lanrewaju Adepoju poetically sang, "Iku ki lo npa alagba, ta oni ri polo ori e nibe".
Fela tells the true....how come" Pastors no they fit open mouth talk the truth". Im yet the find one pastor or Imam that will say something about what the government is doing wrong......I think they are WIMP$.
Nigerians i beg make una open eyes now oooo ! babangida na criminal oooooo time don rich una go get senice, please my brothers and siters make una NO vote for am oooooo babangida i.b.b the man na criminal! VOTE FOR JOHNATHAN GOODLUCK NA GOOD MAN, UNA NO SEE SAY WE WANT GET LIGTH SOON.
Fela with his music educated the masses of Nigeria. He warned us of the evils of colonial mentality and blindly following western ways. Unfortunately some believed this man who liked tafe so much was a tout. But Fela did alot for Nigeria, his influence all over Africa can never be erased and because of this he lives forever in us and our children. He was nicknamed the "the strange one" thank God for people who have the guts to be strange like Fela. ABAMI YOU WILL NEVER DIE!!!
nice osoigbo and phceidem the least we can say is that BABA FELA given us enough material to feed our souls,inspire us and sustain us through this nonsense that they created to fulfill their hideous purpose im from BURKINA FASO,and we proved that all those labels that they put on african by creating impossible conditions in order to insert in our mind the seeds of defeat,but my president said " revolution is victory..." these cowards slaugthered him cos as usual they cant stand TRUTH IN POWER
Thanks alot!It seemed,you are current!IBB,Obasanjo and Co have many questions to answer in the nearest future.They jailed and killed souls which loved our lovely Motherland with their bad western collaborators by giving constructive critics.Struggle continues thru acquiring knowledge to get more revolutionized to fight them back in order to have developed and progressive Nigeria,cos,these set of rogues are still there dragging Nigeria down day by day.Let fight back more intelligently!
It seemed,you are current!They have many questions to answer.I mean IBB,Obasanjo and others.They wanted to wipe away our lovely souls;turned Nigerians to believe in lies and deceitful.Moreover,we must learn more and more to get more revolutionized to look into their eyes in the nearest future so as to ask them how put our Motherland down down.Beware,they still put the same people there to continue destroying Nigeria.And you find these rogues in churches and mosques,haba!!!
phceidem,May you live long!It was Nigerian Government that killed Fela as flesh,but his struggle continues thru people like us!I believed,how these thugs(politicians) operate.If you speak against their wrong doings,they take you away.But Fela & Co were not taken away.They live onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.Dey no feel fool us always!!!
If you no like you hang, if you hang you go die, you go die for nothing
Bought a vynil last week, it contains the song ''Colonial Mentalitity'' which I haven't heard for a long time. I will upload it on YouTube with my LP-to-MP3 since it can't be found anywhere here.
@EbonyBT, I wouild submit 2 u that Fela did not do what he did at d expense of his instrumentalists, like u suggest. These instrumentalists were part of d collective effort of d band. I don't think u would argue that Dr. King raised peoples' consciouness visa-vi d plight of blacks in d U.S.A at d expense of his supporting casts, they were all in it together.
And if "giving" a whole GENRE of music- AFRO-BEAT 2 d industry is not "giving" back.... what is.?
@jjmatashi, I went back and read most of your comments, and they are very thougtful. but if there is one thing you should take away from this dicuss about Fela, that would be that successive govts in that country viewed him as a threat to their power, greed, and every other ills that he sang about. So consequently there was a concerted effort on their part to dehumanise, criminalise, and ostracise him.
@jjmatashi, I came of age in d 1970's Ajegunle, (a city withen lagos) listening 2 felas' music. I did not get my morality from any musician, or sports figure, or politician, lol, but from home. I can't speak 2 what went on at d shrine, I was never there. but I believe u had 2 b an adult 2 get in. so d youths in that era were influenced by fela only 2 d extent that they listened 2 his music.D music is rebelious yes, but it is also introspective and upliftng.he urges one 2 fight&chllenge injustic
" I CANT DIE , THEY CANT KILL ME" YOU WILL NEVER DIE, bro AND CANT NO ONE KILL YOU NOW, YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER...Those WHO TRIED TO KILL YOU HAVE ALL DIED or wiil die soon and will be forgotten by their children, family and friends. But "F-E-L-A" will never be forgotten, you will live forever in our hearts. Thank you, thank you. God bless your soul.
why should this be Fela's fault? Though he may "hold death in his pouch" he is still HUMAN... No man/woman likes acknowledging that they have a dehabilitating disease, especially a communicable one
My friend, he did not just deny that he had AIDS, he denied that AIDS existed at all. I feel the pull of Fela's music, beautiful powerful music. I just think he could have been more a little more honest - say "Something bad is happening here, it may concern sexual partners and sexual practices, let us all talk about it." His machismo would not let him. He does rest in peace - and he still teaches from beyond the grave.
@fiddlerfart , Fela contactedaids by injections given forcefully while he was detained. How come non of his wives had diedof aids before him.Think for yourself, dontlet people tell u what to believe. So was late Gani.
Fela is the Greatest performer to come from the motherland, he mixes his soulful music with powerful words, in America if you are a concious entertainer you may be banned from air play and spoken evil of but this bro. was put in jail for his political views expressed in his music, he was known a the James Brown of Africa to us that's how big he was and now his son's are carrying on is great legacy.
Ebony BT just go an look for a place to sleep u are just critizing him....u work with him b4?...even ppl pirate his music to mk their daily bread or even remix his music an mk money from it.......infact in belive u are a relation 2 one of those ppl fela is going against.....if d white can even talk about him an play his music why are u talking that bullshit from ur mouth , infact delete urself b4 i delete u from youtube.....d rest fans mk una nor mind am....i greet una 4rm dafe germany
EbonyBT you are wrong beyond believe....I am white and I did a Project on Fela in University....FELA WAS A VOICE OF BLACK CONSCIOUS...Believe it on not EbonyBT your GOVERNMENT are a CON
Some bloody stupid judge in the Nigerian Pop Idols admonished a poor contestant for coming on stage wearing only a napkin...the stupid judge said Fela never performed in underpants...Bloody judge, I hope he never gets to see this video!
It is easy to criticize people or governments, but look deeply into his life (I mean Fela), you will find he is not better than those he is criticizing. What happened to all the talented instrumentalists that worked their ass off for him? Were they even paid for their efforts? Don't get me wrong, I do like his music, and I'm not pro-government or what-not, but let's call a spade a spade. These people (Fela, Sonny Okosun, etc,,) only took from the Nigerian music industry, but never gave back.
True, he wasn't perfect, nobody is. Raising people's conscience regarding injustice in Nigeria (everybody knows the injustice in Nigeria and Africa in general, hell! they live it! Tell me something I don't already know) at the expense of hardworking instrumentalists is not giving back. And besides, I'm not talking about that, the living condition of those who made afro-beat what it is testifies to that. I'm talking about giving back to the NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY.
Inside Nigeria...what when you need solidarity with people outside? If they don't know, they don't know. I know what you're talking about. Maybe all he did was disseminate info on injustices. Maybe that's all you'll have to hang onto regarding Fela. Shrugs.
No matter where any African finds his/herself in the world today, you should always think of how you will make things better back home because it is and will always be your home...the new passport or permanent residence card will not change that.
Amey amey one dey go one dey de fish handgo fish hand for back SAy mmusic is the answer army arrangment let it be so cat fish wey go jiont water for street of weert wey do ole ole Say omo lapase na ode nono say ode for 10 years na man fr kago.
jjmatashi, I have to agree with you an all but last paragraph, Fela may not have made hits in USA because the label marketing was weak - I agree with you on Fela's instrumental styles - but USA loves raw soul as well as instrumental athletics.
Fela was more popular in europe than america,european welcome him and his music style but american never did,even Femi and Seun kuti feel more relax to perform in europe than the so called america.
if he is not popupar in the state,how did white from the state discover fela shrine in nigeria,
you no no wetin dey ground,but no worry if you be all this thief pikin,one day go be one day those way dey steal money for government one day go be one day
Fela is rated high all over the world so dont leave shit comment here,u talking about seal and sade?you can buy FELA songs in any music shop in germany where i live which means he is a Legend
And by the way, I am a musician (guitarist), was actually invited to join his band in the early 80's (I declined). Knew the man personally, so I think I know what I am talking about.
ok jjmatashi, then how guitarrista i am sure that you will know perhaps (because is impossible to be sure) the best, Paco de Lucia who by the way is from Spain like me^^ it´is difficult and risky to compare artist with so diferent musical formation and with so diferent social enviroment and perhaps many of your musical refereces would be like little fish in a big pound if you put them in the flamenco world. Is only an idea of course because Miles for example is simply amazzing like Fela XD
Who says Paco is the best guitarist? I respect him greatly, but what about Alan Holdsworth and John Mclaughlin and Al Dimeola and Bireli Lagrene and George Benson and Gutherie Govan among others?
I have never disagreed that Fela was a great musician. I only said that he was not a virtuoso instrumentalist. Great composer, great arranger, controversial activist, yes, but no virtuoso.
What nauseates me is the Fela-worshippers who swallowed all his words without question, truth, lies and all.
why not? i like very much Paco de lucia and his five fingers working like five picks at the same time...and Zappa, Steve Vai, Scofield... And Alan Holdswort, i didn´t know him but i can see now that he is great musician also. You have reasson Fela is not very good instrumentalist but is difficult to be it when around of you there isn,t the necesary infraestructure. His music or part of his music is amazing you and me are agreed inthis point XD
Interesting enough, Fela is now more popular in the USA, with his life and music being dramatized on Broadway. Afrobeat is powerful music, and Fela was a great musical innovator, warts and all.
What is less well known is that Fela almost single-handedly destroyed the morality of several generations of Nigerian youth with his advocacy of indiscriminate sex (which eventually killed him), his misogynist views and his contempt for all authority, even those of legitimate origin.
I´m not very interested in the personal live of Fela, James Brown have also one amazing musical legazy and i hear many things about him and his realtionship with his wife, Charlie Parker have a hard history also, but i respect your opinion, if you knew Fela and you declined play with him i can not say nothing about this, i speak about music, if you are Nazi, Racist or very bad person, I can study and admire your music if your music deserve my admiration. I hate also the worshipers anyway.
Never said he wasn't. Love some of his music, especially ODOO and Army Arrangement.
Appreciate that he singlehandedly invented a new genre-Afrobeat.
However you have to see things in perspective. Music is subjective, but there are objective measures for a global musician too. How many records did he sell?
Fellow Nigerians Seal and Sade have had more Grammy's and top 10 hits, and probably sold more records too. Remember we are talking international success now, not watching him at shrine.
Fela is for the emancipation of human beings and I dnt understand how you can compare Sade and Seal with Fela. Fela has the opportunity to leave Nigeria and stay abroad but he wants to be in the mix of what his people are going through. I love Seal and Sade music and what impact to they have? Seal during the Obama compaign remade an oldskool song. Fela is authentic in all he does. What is intnational success? when ur people suffers. Please Give honor when hour is due.
Fela was a great arranger, a good composer, a fantastic social critic (afro-centric), but a relatively poor instrumentalist.
He did not speak the language of American culture. With all the well-defined genres there was little space for Afro-Beat, which today would be classified in the mixed bag called "World Music".
Add that to the glut of superlative performers in the USA and you will have an idea why Fela, great as he was in Nigeria, could never have been a giant in America.
At the risk of getting bashed by Fela freaks , I will take a stab at your question.
Fela was a big fish in a small pond. Coming to America made him a small fish in a big pond. With giants like Miles Davis and John Coltrane on the jazz front, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, James Brown, Michael Jackson and Santana and Bob Marley and many other truly incredible musicians, he really stood no chance there.
Then there were the myriad genres in his time. Classical, Rock, Soul, Funk, Pop, Jazz
I agree with you, Fela was not never a commercial success as the other artist you mentioned. But abami eda would be remembered for generations to come. He will be created for igniting the minds of those who break Nigeria (i.e. more than 10% of theAfrican population) out of its current state. And thats what we celebrate. No how many records Miles Davis sold. Americans can join the celebration if they want; but it is not a prerequisite
I got to say that none of those guys could do what Fela did, masters they may be and so is Fela but Fela was speaking to Africa not USA - I don't expect he cared about the USA not listening
Every successful musician makes their fans happy in their own sphere of influence. Some music lovers are able to appreciate music across multiple spheres of influence, while many remain stuck in one, with a particular musician as their "god". This is true not only for Fela, but for many other musicians who appeal strongly to their constituencies. I can imagine an argument between Nigerian Fela freaks and Jamaican Bob Marley disciples over who is better or more influential. There can be no winner
I credit Fela with one thing-he was brave enough to speak when most others were running scared.
He paid the price in many ways, over the years.
However, the main problem was that he had no solution for the problems he so vocally criticized.
True greatness in social engineering lies not only in criticism, but also in articulating a realistic and workable solution in reasonable detail, and I'm afraid that's where he failed.
We all know Nigeria/Africa's problem. What is the solution?
wtf dude...are u proposing a solution or you are instigating even greater harm? no more waste of human life, Africa has enough issues as it is already AIDS, STARVATION, MALARIA, WARS etc. we don't need people like you in africa.
if we knew that we would be very rich indeed.. however, no matter how bad it is its our home, my home and my family home not much has changed since he sang this particular song but i did enjoy my uni yrs so i cant complain too much personally .
jjmatashi. that is the problem arm chair critics. he is even reported to put his girls in a cage . violation of human rights but overall I respect hisguts
As a Diasporan African, I believe Africa relies too much on the West too much, and revels in tradition culture which sadly leans too much to colonialism. The old revolutionaries that helped gained independence have become corrupt and old status quo. A revolution by young people with new ideas and ways of thinking is what is needed. And if African countries don't pay the IMF loans who is going to enforce its collection? Use that money on the people!
Hey! He didn't fail.We all know the solution.Creating equity and avoiding corruption like anathema.This he proposed.But sadly, knowledge of the solution is not enough.What is required is the application of this knowledge and that is where the Nigerian leadership has failed over the years.He was never in a position of authority to effect these changes.With what I see today among the followership (including you and I), the future is bleak.Truly, a people deserve the kind of leadership they get.
I don't know that the Nigerian people deserve the "leadership" they have, any more than the people of Myanmar and North Korea deserve their junta and Kim Jung Il.
If a child happens to be born to an evil father, how does he deserve it?
The world is littered with myriad innocent victims. It must be understood that the Nigerian people, like many others, are victims of the spiritual wickedness that afflicts much of this earth. Some may be lucky to live where it is not too intense. Most are not.
mmm i´m sorry but the solution for africa is very simply & depend only of the retreat for the big european and northamerican companys which are stracting the blood of all african continent & to be sure of their bussines sucess put corrupts goverments. The most known example of this is perhaps the pharmautics industries. But sadly this solution is not good for ours confortable lifes. Here, in Spain, every day come one big boat full of people nearly the death to remember us the unhappy true.
very few musicians who're are not american or british make it in america. even bob marley was never that big till after he died, and he had to sing in english rather than his native patois to get there.
fela and his pidgin english and his 20 minute songs presented a marketing nightmare that no one had the guts to take on. and because of the small nigerian diaspora population in the US, there was no ready-made market for his style.
Absolutely. The secret weapon that Fela had that could have catapulted him to the top of the world stage was STAGE PRESENCE. The west loves a good stage show by a confident and eccentric performer. But as you said, his 20 minute songs were hard for western audiences used to 3-5 minute singles to digest. The pidgin and the subject matter (persistent focus on Africa and Nigeria's problems) were also alien to western audiences.
Guy, this chap was never interested in money, if he was, he had the chance to sing about things that wouldnt get him in trouble, and also advertise any business he wanted
Money or western approval was not his problem, and thats why he was the best candidate for presidency
FELA! FELA !! FELA !!!.WEAP FOR THE LOST ICON
akanki100 2 months ago
RIP President, you made earth tolerable
woland64 2 months ago
An African Messiah
ajonetto 2 months ago
I can't get enough of this song. The album version's 30 minutes, and it's just not long enough! Peace.
MuzikJunkyAES 2 months ago in playlist More videos from da66yy
i love you my glorious Nigerian brother. God gifted us with your passion. You will live in me the rest of my life! A hard core Mexican American admirer! May you rest in peace Noble Sir. Andres Terrazas
FEARLIS 3 months ago
Considering the scarcity of good material to work with, this is a very well done video.
inibo 4 months ago
papparappà! i love
AndreaXy88 4 months ago
thumps up if you will never ever forget Fela kuti
XxSoWildxX 5 months ago 3
What great footage. It's always nice seeing footage of Fela I haven't seen before. Thanks, da66yy!
shud1 6 months ago
lol "Obasanjo turn vocalist"...this man must have been a prophet cos last week they showed Obasanjo on NTA international singing "I have decided to follow Jesus". I was like wtf??
P4boot 6 months ago
@P4boot Up that to: the man WAS a prophet. He sang stuff 30 years ago that sound like tomorrow's headlines.
nePfarious 6 months ago
@nePfarious When did he sing this? It was released in 1984 and this. video in 1985. It sounds as if it was written around 1979-1981.
Carmaker1 6 months ago
All of Fela Anikulapo Kuti songs has a powerful meaning.....those that don't know will do well to listen....you will learn something...RIP Fela...rest well my brother....
IBcutiepie 6 months ago
It is a dose of Afrobeat (and sometimes Reggae) I get every morning before I got to work as a bookkeeper & controller.
wildganja 7 months ago
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Mr198100able 7 months ago
sun ra and fela-what a show that would have been
phillfoote 7 months ago
It seems the only reason i heard of this man, is when i quit school. Cause if i was studying in school- to prepare myself to become a slave for this rotten system- i would never ever heard of this man. Its shocking that no one in my family, friends, and others never even spoke about him. A good example is Greece. They are trying to fight their government. Why don't we all do that? I know... It aint easy..
texasB666 7 months ago
@texasB666 how did you know about fela anikulapo kuti? am always a bit curious to know how non nigerians find out about this african icon , even though in his lifetime he used to tour and do shows in western european countries particularly the usa, most europeans or americans find out about him by accident he had a huge cult following in his time though amonst westerners .
SuperQueenofAfrica 6 months ago
@SuperQueenofAfrica Wel actually yes :) I also discovered him by accident. I went to my sisters room because she has a television (i don't anymore) and i was merely going through some channels. It was about 10 a.m. and i stumbled on a documentary about Fela Kuti and was amazed. It made me angry and happy at the same time. It involved his music (which i like) but also his message which i like even more. Very brave man. An exemple for every artist and every human being for that matter.
texasB666 6 months ago
@texasB666 his message is clear i remember it well at the time and his fights with the encumbunt military regime at the time . "army arrangement " is precisely what is says.. military control.. not sure which is worse though , the army boys or the corrupt politicans
SuperQueenofAfrica 6 months ago
@SuperQueenofAfrica i hear ya, my man.
Listen, take care of yourself and thanks for your respond :)
peace!
texasB666 6 months ago
@texasB666 he was a very brave man he died for his beliefs his mother died for her beliefs too.. she was an activist in nigeria a fighter for women's rights .. interesting family .
SuperQueenofAfrica 6 months ago 2
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Futurecop2012C 7 months ago
fela kuti brother i fellow you from Aljazia RIZ khan. but I realy give you enough respect
qalbiSOMALI 8 months ago
FELA KUTI - The King Of The Underground Spiritual Game ! Fela Forever !!!
94incurabil 8 months ago
I love this guy...His music is nice.
Dakamum 8 months ago
@etvjr
All revolutions start with the enlightened message of few visionaries, writers and artists the likes of Fela. The generations following Fela Kuti and Bob Marley are no longer duped by colonialist or imperialistic propaganda. The music of Fela has opened eyes and planted the seed for socio-political change in the 3rd World. Revolutions have now begun in Egypt and elsewhere in Africa just like Fela warned. And musically, he was just a GENIUS in harmonies and rhythms! Few equals in his time
inxtrmis 8 months ago
I know it may sound ignorant but what was the importance and influence of Anikulapo in the musical and political environment in 80 years?
etvjr 10 months ago
@etvjr
Are you serious?
inxtrmis 8 months ago
@inxtrmis wow! i dont think the other poster had any idea of who fela was and just how his music encapsulated a generation not only in my country but outside it...
aitan844 7 months ago
1984, and this guy just mentioned the same two guys that are ruling now in 2000 plus. when would it be over?
emanny1986 11 months ago
@emanny1986 - Obasanjo killed his mother.
gamoonbat 10 months ago
Fela Kuti druže stari...
hajroz 11 months ago
....we love u Fella Ransom Kuti....always & forever....u will always be in our hearts....
elmontpat 11 months ago
he is de realest... no doubt de best in africa
ighorich 1 year ago
I swear Fela was almost like a prophet , all the things he said were gonna happen in his songs like 30 yrs ago are happening today. We miss you Fela !!!
dublos86 1 year ago
Fela was way too far ahead of his time, the people he advocated for didn't even realise they were being mistreated. I doubt if they know it even today. Fela's activities would have birthed massive sociopolitical movements in more progressive societies; the type that engenders change that move societies forward.
The fact that we let him die without exploring his genius, his ideas and iconoclastic stance for possible advancement in our society is a knock on our academia, I think.
botosh 1 year ago 2
@botosh I share your sentiment. It would have been the best ruling in the world. A government who bring everyone too the same level. Although i fear that he might corrupt the nation in another form. Dont get me wrong, I love fela to the teeth because of his fight for the human race but there are somethings that he does that I dont like i.e the marijuana smoking. I visit the shrine every wednesday to listen to him I believe he is nt an ordinary man. His vision was great his way killed it.
princessadekunbi1 1 year ago
fela 2 much i mss u black presido..........
morgito4real 1 year ago
music is the higher power, metal, rock, funk, afro, its all groovy , if you feel it, its right !
RalphMarx 1 year ago
'But sha, I still dey there shall be no compromise' - Fela Anikulapo Kuti
magnnum01 1 year ago
@magnnum01 "but sha' thanks for reminding to plish up my naija broken!! Jah bless!!
sambaboy77 7 months ago
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madisonajulianalue 1 year ago
FELA means For-Ever lives Africa... he might be dead now but his music will lives 4ever. Those corrupt leaders makes his life miserable when he was alive but they can't kill his music. Those leaders are all gone now and those remains will soon join you. R.I.P
Babatundey 1 year ago 2
@ EkereGbe, you have said it all and encompassed all that needs to be said about Fela. Like Lanrewaju Adepoju poetically sang, "Iku ki lo npa alagba, ta oni ri polo ori e nibe".
OsiTech 1 year ago
i like this song.
AdoEkiti 1 year ago
Yes Ooooooooooo
waytoohappy1 1 year ago
Fela has balls of STEEL.
allendonaldson1588 1 year ago
Fela tells the true....how come" Pastors no they fit open mouth talk the truth". Im yet the find one pastor or Imam that will say something about what the government is doing wrong......I think they are WIMP$.
allendonaldson1588 1 year ago
is true he can't die the fela is on broadway playing,go FELA.
Animmortalangel 1 year ago
buenisimo!!!!!
gonzalo920 1 year ago
O MAIOR DE SEMPRE DO AFRO BEAT...THE KING...IM ADICTED...TO FELA
mrMIGUELLORENZO 1 year ago
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Nigerians i beg make una open eyes now oooo ! babangida na criminal oooooo time don rich una go get senice, please my brothers and siters make una NO vote for am oooooo babangida i.b.b the man na criminal! VOTE FOR JOHNATHAN GOODLUCK NA GOOD MAN, UNA NO SEE SAY WE WANT GET LIGTH SOON.
mybigge2pac 1 year ago
REMEMBER IF YOU DON'T ACT YOUR OWN - ONE DAY OF COURSE YOU MUST DIE.
Tommybotham 1 year ago
The 13 people who disliked are foolish
KB24Z 1 year ago 7
Basket mouth don start to leak again - o!! :)
OriMeissa 1 year ago
THE BEST BLACK PRESIDENT NIGERIA NEVER HAD
kaybaba2 1 year ago 10
fela is the king of music
TheFacelessangle 1 year ago
oh mother land! when will this retrogressive development be over, is their hope for your childern? mother land i need a fast reply
TheKentroman 1 year ago
May your soul rest in perfect peace chief priest!
TheAdimula 1 year ago
Fela influenciou toda uma geração a lutar contra uma mentalidade colonizadora !!!!!!!!!E sua música é contagiante!!!!!!!!
Grande FELA !!!!!!!!
hrslobo 1 year ago
Fela for King!
Tigrinja 1 year ago
very relevant long time to come.......
Ayanfe13 1 year ago
Who are the 12 bastards that gave this song thumbs down?????
OsiTech 1 year ago 3
thats kind of a lie considering that fela is dead
folasadehungbinladen 1 year ago
The Africaness with Fela is unique because it's genuine and not shown just to please westerners. That's why I love him.
pale411 1 year ago
Piękne, prawdziwe i zaangażowane......
Vadohn 1 year ago
Fela with his music educated the masses of Nigeria. He warned us of the evils of colonial mentality and blindly following western ways. Unfortunately some believed this man who liked tafe so much was a tout. But Fela did alot for Nigeria, his influence all over Africa can never be erased and because of this he lives forever in us and our children. He was nicknamed the "the strange one" thank God for people who have the guts to be strange like Fela. ABAMI YOU WILL NEVER DIE!!!
EgbesuJuju2010 1 year ago
the women at 1.13 is utterly stunning
Garcian 1 year ago 2
@Garcian thinkin my thot felas girls are cute, outside of all the face painting
mariaelaigwu 1 year ago
@mariaelaigwu
Face paint? Go and learn some history. I LOVE the face paint! You find that only amongst the the oldest cultures of the world!
Danibrofan 1 year ago
baba obasanjo go dey happy say this man don go, but na him go his music remains for life o
jonjasy1 1 year ago
Long live Baba.... Even in death your music lives...
hanafi1983 1 year ago
Classic
mjdghost 1 year ago
mens' MAN!!! not too many alive ....
keychaoodotcom 1 year ago
a true prophet. God bless your soul
RicxelArms 1 year ago
the spiritual one. we still miss you.
RicxelArms 1 year ago
thank you baba for leaving us with beautiful music.
long live baba.
ericjay71 1 year ago
the king of naija music.
roccaems 1 year ago
this one bad
simisimisimisola 1 year ago
nice osoigbo and phceidem the least we can say is that BABA FELA given us enough material to feed our souls,inspire us and sustain us through this nonsense that they created to fulfill their hideous purpose im from BURKINA FASO,and we proved that all those labels that they put on african by creating impossible conditions in order to insert in our mind the seeds of defeat,but my president said " revolution is victory..." these cowards slaugthered him cos as usual they cant stand TRUTH IN POWER
afroda3 1 year ago
the greate legend, nigeria miss u now and in future,
for ever live africa---------- fela
greatcollins 1 year ago
phceidem,
Thanks alot!It seemed,you are current!IBB,Obasanjo and Co have many questions to answer in the nearest future.They jailed and killed souls which loved our lovely Motherland with their bad western collaborators by giving constructive critics.Struggle continues thru acquiring knowledge to get more revolutionized to fight them back in order to have developed and progressive Nigeria,cos,these set of rogues are still there dragging Nigeria down day by day.Let fight back more intelligently!
osoigbo 1 year ago
phceidem,
It seemed,you are current!They have many questions to answer.I mean IBB,Obasanjo and others.They wanted to wipe away our lovely souls;turned Nigerians to believe in lies and deceitful.Moreover,we must learn more and more to get more revolutionized to look into their eyes in the nearest future so as to ask them how put our Motherland down down.Beware,they still put the same people there to continue destroying Nigeria.And you find these rogues in churches and mosques,haba!!!
osoigbo 1 year ago
I am a little Italian girl eight years old, i love Fela for his music and thoughts. Long live Fela, Silvana
mimmopapp 1 year ago 4
Thats great, how do you understand what he says, mimmopapp. You must be very bright
phceidem 1 year ago
@mimmopapp
God bless you. :-))
Danibrofan 1 year ago
phceidem,May you live long!It was Nigerian Government that killed Fela as flesh,but his struggle continues thru people like us!I believed,how these thugs(politicians) operate.If you speak against their wrong doings,they take you away.But Fela & Co were not taken away.They live onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.Dey no feel fool us always!!!
osoigbo 1 year ago
Yeah, Gani died of lung cancer, (a man who never smoked).
IBB can explain the series of injections Gani was given.
phceidem 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Africa will always be behind
nnamdieze87 1 year ago
@nnamdieze87 it will just take a couple of dacades for the balanceof power to shift. Not 2 or 3 years
phceidem 1 year ago
If you no like you hang, if you hang you go die, you go die for nothing
Bought a vynil last week, it contains the song ''Colonial Mentalitity'' which I haven't heard for a long time. I will upload it on YouTube with my LP-to-MP3 since it can't be found anywhere here.
He be say you be colonial man
You don be slave man before
Them don release you now
But you never release yourself
DietseGeus 2 years ago 2
I beg make you upload colomentality ... long time i dey look for dat!! Baba Lives Fela on
bigbowldrop 2 years ago
It will be online within one hour
DietseGeus 2 years ago
@EbonyBT, I wouild submit 2 u that Fela did not do what he did at d expense of his instrumentalists, like u suggest. These instrumentalists were part of d collective effort of d band. I don't think u would argue that Dr. King raised peoples' consciouness visa-vi d plight of blacks in d U.S.A at d expense of his supporting casts, they were all in it together.
And if "giving" a whole GENRE of music- AFRO-BEAT 2 d industry is not "giving" back.... what is.?
emecca123 2 years ago
@jjmatashi, I went back and read most of your comments, and they are very thougtful. but if there is one thing you should take away from this dicuss about Fela, that would be that successive govts in that country viewed him as a threat to their power, greed, and every other ills that he sang about. So consequently there was a concerted effort on their part to dehumanise, criminalise, and ostracise him.
emecca123 2 years ago
@jjmatashi, I came of age in d 1970's Ajegunle, (a city withen lagos) listening 2 felas' music. I did not get my morality from any musician, or sports figure, or politician, lol, but from home. I can't speak 2 what went on at d shrine, I was never there. but I believe u had 2 b an adult 2 get in. so d youths in that era were influenced by fela only 2 d extent that they listened 2 his music.D music is rebelious yes, but it is also introspective and upliftng.he urges one 2 fight&chllenge injustic
emecca123 2 years ago 2
R.I.P Fela music was his weapon and it still fires today. Never could he be forgotten. Still inspires me
odemata87 2 years ago
" I CANT DIE , THEY CANT KILL ME" YOU WILL NEVER DIE, bro AND CANT NO ONE KILL YOU NOW, YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER...Those WHO TRIED TO KILL YOU HAVE ALL DIED or wiil die soon and will be forgotten by their children, family and friends. But "F-E-L-A" will never be forgotten, you will live forever in our hearts. Thank you, thank you. God bless your soul.
EkereGbe 2 years ago 44
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Fela's denial of AIDS cost his fellow country men and women countless lives - his legendary status should be tainted by this
fiddlerfart 2 years ago
why should this be Fela's fault? Though he may "hold death in his pouch" he is still HUMAN... No man/woman likes acknowledging that they have a dehabilitating disease, especially a communicable one
R.I.P. FELA - ~ MUSIC IS THE WEAPON ~
LiberalLibra 2 years ago
My friend, he did not just deny that he had AIDS, he denied that AIDS existed at all. I feel the pull of Fela's music, beautiful powerful music. I just think he could have been more a little more honest - say "Something bad is happening here, it may concern sexual partners and sexual practices, let us all talk about it." His machismo would not let him. He does rest in peace - and he still teaches from beyond the grave.
fiddlerfart 2 years ago
@fiddlerfart , Fela contactedaids by injections given forcefully while he was detained. How come non of his wives had diedof aids before him.Think for yourself, dontlet people tell u what to believe. So was late Gani.
phceidem 1 year ago
Let truth be told. how many artists nowadays have the guts to challenge the status quo.
2lou007 2 years ago 3
Great stuff.
agger08 2 years ago 2
damn i love Fela.
Hutchbeartrap 2 years ago 14
Fela is the Greatest performer to come from the motherland, he mixes his soulful music with powerful words, in America if you are a concious entertainer you may be banned from air play and spoken evil of but this bro. was put in jail for his political views expressed in his music, he was known a the James Brown of Africa to us that's how big he was and now his son's are carrying on is great legacy.
akilmosq24 2 years ago 2
Ebony BT just go an look for a place to sleep u are just critizing him....u work with him b4?...even ppl pirate his music to mk their daily bread or even remix his music an mk money from it.......infact in belive u are a relation 2 one of those ppl fela is going against.....if d white can even talk about him an play his music why are u talking that bullshit from ur mouth , infact delete urself b4 i delete u from youtube.....d rest fans mk una nor mind am....i greet una 4rm dafe germany
edafeguy 2 years ago
EbonyBT you are wrong beyond believe....I am white and I did a Project on Fela in University....FELA WAS A VOICE OF BLACK CONSCIOUS...Believe it on not EbonyBT your GOVERNMENT are a CON
StAndrewsDude 2 years ago
Oh, ignore him, he must be a retard
phceidem 2 years ago
Some bloody stupid judge in the Nigerian Pop Idols admonished a poor contestant for coming on stage wearing only a napkin...the stupid judge said Fela never performed in underpants...Bloody judge, I hope he never gets to see this video!
Thandwayo 2 years ago
EbonyBT,You are dead wrong, go back and do your research.Maybe you are talking about another Fela not this Fela Anikulapo Kuti
ffcaposinero 2 years ago
the king
chukbyke 2 years ago
It is easy to criticize people or governments, but look deeply into his life (I mean Fela), you will find he is not better than those he is criticizing. What happened to all the talented instrumentalists that worked their ass off for him? Were they even paid for their efforts? Don't get me wrong, I do like his music, and I'm not pro-government or what-not, but let's call a spade a spade. These people (Fela, Sonny Okosun, etc,,) only took from the Nigerian music industry, but never gave back.
EbonyBT 2 years ago
He wasn't perfect, but he raised people's conscience regarding the injustices in NIgeria. That was what he gave back to his people and the world.
hwiseman1 2 years ago
True, he wasn't perfect, nobody is. Raising people's conscience regarding injustice in Nigeria (everybody knows the injustice in Nigeria and Africa in general, hell! they live it! Tell me something I don't already know) at the expense of hardworking instrumentalists is not giving back. And besides, I'm not talking about that, the living condition of those who made afro-beat what it is testifies to that. I'm talking about giving back to the NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY.
EbonyBT 2 years ago
Inside Nigeria...what when you need solidarity with people outside? If they don't know, they don't know. I know what you're talking about. Maybe all he did was disseminate info on injustices. Maybe that's all you'll have to hang onto regarding Fela. Shrugs.
hwiseman1 2 years ago 2
Well, I do hear that he had sex with some of the grls, but the issue of not paying staff......Do you know someone who was underpaid, share your info
phceidem 2 years ago
sofa dey afirika kpa kpara kpa
tweenthyfourseventow 2 years ago
No matter where any African finds his/herself in the world today, you should always think of how you will make things better back home because it is and will always be your home...the new passport or permanent residence card will not change that.
vicediae20 2 years ago 2
what abou where you dey live too.police make you no live call alarm 101.
deraspts 2 years ago
He was very brave and true...this is my fav
sheatobler 2 years ago
Amey amey one dey go one dey de fish handgo fish hand for back SAy mmusic is the answer army arrangment let it be so cat fish wey go jiont water for street of weert wey do ole ole Say omo lapase na ode nono say ode for 10 years na man fr kago.
deraspts 2 years ago
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phceidem 2 years ago
i am you inthe sence of spreech life take in water never come back to SAy hello,bless you 70 de afro bannana shaine de land of opposeydesalogy.
deraspts 2 years ago
jjmatashi, I have to agree with you an all but last paragraph, Fela may not have made hits in USA because the label marketing was weak - I agree with you on Fela's instrumental styles - but USA loves raw soul as well as instrumental athletics.
WethamanUtube 2 years ago
fela sprouted in US from underground NY - aka brooklyn!!
cwr6 2 years ago
Fela was more popular in europe than america,european welcome him and his music style but american never did,even Femi and Seun kuti feel more relax to perform in europe than the so called america.
Spicyboy001 2 years ago
so called america indeed, spicyboy
purpledohboy 2 years ago
if he is not popupar in the state,how did white from the state discover fela shrine in nigeria,
you no no wetin dey ground,but no worry if you be all this thief pikin,one day go be one day those way dey steal money for government one day go be one day
cladower 2 years ago
Fela is rated high all over the world so dont leave shit comment here,u talking about seal and sade?you can buy FELA songs in any music shop in germany where i live which means he is a Legend
box4real 2 years ago
Speak truth to power!
ukspartan7 2 years ago
FElA IS THE GREATEST EVER ....PERIOD..NOT JUST AFRICA...IN THE WORLD.....WHETHER U LIKE OR U NOR LIKE.
OhohyaPepenor777 2 years ago
And by the way, I am a musician (guitarist), was actually invited to join his band in the early 80's (I declined). Knew the man personally, so I think I know what I am talking about.
jjmatashi 2 years ago
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MightyFunkCollective 2 years ago
ok jjmatashi, then how guitarrista i am sure that you will know perhaps (because is impossible to be sure) the best, Paco de Lucia who by the way is from Spain like me^^ it´is difficult and risky to compare artist with so diferent musical formation and with so diferent social enviroment and perhaps many of your musical refereces would be like little fish in a big pound if you put them in the flamenco world. Is only an idea of course because Miles for example is simply amazzing like Fela XD
sergiodefcom 2 years ago
Who says Paco is the best guitarist? I respect him greatly, but what about Alan Holdsworth and John Mclaughlin and Al Dimeola and Bireli Lagrene and George Benson and Gutherie Govan among others?
I have never disagreed that Fela was a great musician. I only said that he was not a virtuoso instrumentalist. Great composer, great arranger, controversial activist, yes, but no virtuoso.
What nauseates me is the Fela-worshippers who swallowed all his words without question, truth, lies and all.
jjmatashi 2 years ago
why not? i like very much Paco de lucia and his five fingers working like five picks at the same time...and Zappa, Steve Vai, Scofield... And Alan Holdswort, i didn´t know him but i can see now that he is great musician also. You have reasson Fela is not very good instrumentalist but is difficult to be it when around of you there isn,t the necesary infraestructure. His music or part of his music is amazing you and me are agreed inthis point XD
sergiodefcom 2 years ago
Interesting enough, Fela is now more popular in the USA, with his life and music being dramatized on Broadway. Afrobeat is powerful music, and Fela was a great musical innovator, warts and all.
What is less well known is that Fela almost single-handedly destroyed the morality of several generations of Nigerian youth with his advocacy of indiscriminate sex (which eventually killed him), his misogynist views and his contempt for all authority, even those of legitimate origin.
jjmatashi 2 years ago
I´m not very interested in the personal live of Fela, James Brown have also one amazing musical legazy and i hear many things about him and his realtionship with his wife, Charlie Parker have a hard history also, but i respect your opinion, if you knew Fela and you declined play with him i can not say nothing about this, i speak about music, if you are Nazi, Racist or very bad person, I can study and admire your music if your music deserve my admiration. I hate also the worshipers anyway.
sergiodefcom 2 years ago
Never said he wasn't. Love some of his music, especially ODOO and Army Arrangement.
Appreciate that he singlehandedly invented a new genre-Afrobeat.
However you have to see things in perspective. Music is subjective, but there are objective measures for a global musician too. How many records did he sell?
Fellow Nigerians Seal and Sade have had more Grammy's and top 10 hits, and probably sold more records too. Remember we are talking international success now, not watching him at shrine.
jjmatashi 2 years ago
do u judge achievment by awards or by impact in pples life?this man had it all
dejiariyo 2 years ago 2
Thank you jare Ariyo. I no no maybe d man de regret say e no join Fela play na de reason wey him don wan put sand for abami eda heritage.
pongogirls 2 years ago
Fela is for the emancipation of human beings and I dnt understand how you can compare Sade and Seal with Fela. Fela has the opportunity to leave Nigeria and stay abroad but he wants to be in the mix of what his people are going through. I love Seal and Sade music and what impact to they have? Seal during the Obama compaign remade an oldskool song. Fela is authentic in all he does. What is intnational success? when ur people suffers. Please Give honor when hour is due.
Princess Adekunbi
pongogirls 2 years ago 2
mr president yeah!
etxxx2 2 years ago
Fela was a great arranger, a good composer, a fantastic social critic (afro-centric), but a relatively poor instrumentalist.
He did not speak the language of American culture. With all the well-defined genres there was little space for Afro-Beat, which today would be classified in the mixed bag called "World Music".
Add that to the glut of superlative performers in the USA and you will have an idea why Fela, great as he was in Nigeria, could never have been a giant in America.
jjmatashi 2 years ago
what a load of bunk Fela is simply great. Nuff said
etxxx2 2 years ago
Why ON EARTH wasn't Fela bigger in the States????
Beautiful.
Aribdis33 2 years ago
At the risk of getting bashed by Fela freaks , I will take a stab at your question.
Fela was a big fish in a small pond. Coming to America made him a small fish in a big pond. With giants like Miles Davis and John Coltrane on the jazz front, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, James Brown, Michael Jackson and Santana and Bob Marley and many other truly incredible musicians, he really stood no chance there.
Then there were the myriad genres in his time. Classical, Rock, Soul, Funk, Pop, Jazz
jjmatashi 2 years ago
I guess I see that. Thanks.
Aribdis33 2 years ago
I agree with you, Fela was not never a commercial success as the other artist you mentioned. But abami eda would be remembered for generations to come. He will be created for igniting the minds of those who break Nigeria (i.e. more than 10% of theAfrican population) out of its current state. And thats what we celebrate. No how many records Miles Davis sold. Americans can join the celebration if they want; but it is not a prerequisite
ghostly7878 2 years ago
Sorry i meant to say "Credited", and not "Created"
ghostly7878 2 years ago
Sorry Sir. I was only answering the question someone posted about why was Fela not more popular in the USA.
jjmatashi 2 years ago
I got to say that none of those guys could do what Fela did, masters they may be and so is Fela but Fela was speaking to Africa not USA - I don't expect he cared about the USA not listening
WethamanUtube 2 years ago
Every successful musician makes their fans happy in their own sphere of influence. Some music lovers are able to appreciate music across multiple spheres of influence, while many remain stuck in one, with a particular musician as their "god". This is true not only for Fela, but for many other musicians who appeal strongly to their constituencies. I can imagine an argument between Nigerian Fela freaks and Jamaican Bob Marley disciples over who is better or more influential. There can be no winner
jjmatashi 2 years ago
I credit Fela with one thing-he was brave enough to speak when most others were running scared.
He paid the price in many ways, over the years.
However, the main problem was that he had no solution for the problems he so vocally criticized.
True greatness in social engineering lies not only in criticism, but also in articulating a realistic and workable solution in reasonable detail, and I'm afraid that's where he failed.
We all know Nigeria/Africa's problem. What is the solution?
jjmatashi 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
the solution is death 2 ALL non africans living in africa!!!!!
farrahkhan 2 years ago
That one is rather drastic O! I am afraid of you!!
jjmatashi 2 years ago
No, the problem is not the white people, its a global syndicate. This syndicate also consists of black idiots like dangote and obasanjo
phceidem 2 years ago
wtf dude...are u proposing a solution or you are instigating even greater harm? no more waste of human life, Africa has enough issues as it is already AIDS, STARVATION, MALARIA, WARS etc. we don't need people like you in africa.
vicediae20 2 years ago
if we knew that we would be very rich indeed.. however, no matter how bad it is its our home, my home and my family home not much has changed since he sang this particular song but i did enjoy my uni yrs so i cant complain too much personally .
oluwalogbon58 2 years ago
jjmatashi. that is the problem arm chair critics. he is even reported to put his girls in a cage . violation of human rights but overall I respect hisguts
Obinne 2 years ago
As a Diasporan African, I believe Africa relies too much on the West too much, and revels in tradition culture which sadly leans too much to colonialism. The old revolutionaries that helped gained independence have become corrupt and old status quo. A revolution by young people with new ideas and ways of thinking is what is needed. And if African countries don't pay the IMF loans who is going to enforce its collection? Use that money on the people!
JayGriffinblaze 2 years ago 4
Hey! He didn't fail.We all know the solution.Creating equity and avoiding corruption like anathema.This he proposed.But sadly, knowledge of the solution is not enough.What is required is the application of this knowledge and that is where the Nigerian leadership has failed over the years.He was never in a position of authority to effect these changes.With what I see today among the followership (including you and I), the future is bleak.Truly, a people deserve the kind of leadership they get.
Markks100 2 years ago 4
I don't know that the Nigerian people deserve the "leadership" they have, any more than the people of Myanmar and North Korea deserve their junta and Kim Jung Il.
If a child happens to be born to an evil father, how does he deserve it?
The world is littered with myriad innocent victims. It must be understood that the Nigerian people, like many others, are victims of the spiritual wickedness that afflicts much of this earth. Some may be lucky to live where it is not too intense. Most are not.
jjmatashi 2 years ago 2
mmm i´m sorry but the solution for africa is very simply & depend only of the retreat for the big european and northamerican companys which are stracting the blood of all african continent & to be sure of their bussines sucess put corrupts goverments. The most known example of this is perhaps the pharmautics industries. But sadly this solution is not good for ours confortable lifes. Here, in Spain, every day come one big boat full of people nearly the death to remember us the unhappy true.
sergiodefcom 2 years ago
very few musicians who're are not american or british make it in america. even bob marley was never that big till after he died, and he had to sing in english rather than his native patois to get there.
fela and his pidgin english and his 20 minute songs presented a marketing nightmare that no one had the guts to take on. and because of the small nigerian diaspora population in the US, there was no ready-made market for his style.
Zvabaz 2 years ago 2
Absolutely. The secret weapon that Fela had that could have catapulted him to the top of the world stage was STAGE PRESENCE. The west loves a good stage show by a confident and eccentric performer. But as you said, his 20 minute songs were hard for western audiences used to 3-5 minute singles to digest. The pidgin and the subject matter (persistent focus on Africa and Nigeria's problems) were also alien to western audiences.
jjmatashi 2 years ago 2
Guy, this chap was never interested in money, if he was, he had the chance to sing about things that wouldnt get him in trouble, and also advertise any business he wanted
Money or western approval was not his problem, and thats why he was the best candidate for presidency
phceidem 2 years ago
how many country dey speak engkish 4 europe,4get that one na colo menthality,
cladower 2 years ago