I ran into Fela in Amsterdam, While on tour in 1981, From a distance he looked like one of my cousins. I run up to grab him (thinking he was my cousin still) Two really big brothers tell me to stay back, and that this is Fela Kuti! I tell them he looks like my cousin. Fela comes over and gives me a big hug and says "Hey cousin!" then invites me to their waiting area. He tells me the story of how the police in Nigeria had thrown his Mom off a roof, he gave me a copy of this record.. Peace
Fela did not write or play his music for fame, this guy was offered alot money to play his music but most time he refused, Fela chose to live a simple life amongst his people (as well as his sons) Fela wrote his music for us..... If anything its the Black people who need to recognize him. "you africans please listen to me as africans and u non africans please listen to me with open minds" fela kuti - suffering and smiling
This is crucial shit. Out of the pain of his own mother's assaination at the hands of the Nigerian government. If you don't like jazz or juju just go somewhere else. The bass line is killer, the harmonics are flooring, with the use of his wives. Also a commentary of the Imperialistic religious systems introduced into the continent. Real rebel shit 100%., but in characteristic artistic flair....this is Fela. Black President. RIP
That sax intro is too good. Just learnt it on my guitar and I can't stop now. This is still my favourite Fela song, along with Trouble sleep. Great music.
RA'S WILLING HOMAGE SALUTE TO MI ICON MOST HONOURABLE GRANDMASTER TEACHER. WHO MAKE I RELATES ALL THAT IS SPOKEN, WITH IN THESE DAYS.I BEAR WITNESS . AND IF WE EVER NEED THESE WORDS SOUNDS WITH POWER IT'S NOW!!!! TRUE TALK REAL TALK REVOLUTIONARY VOODUM VIBRATIONS RASMARKABLE FELA AS ENERGY NEVER DISTINGUISH SO FACTUALLY WITH THE I MI ICON
Wavecurve...U can't understand..No need for me to even start ...Trust me In due time ...A whole Iroko tree starts off as a small plant and as time passes..It grows strong roots into the soil..Fela's memory is marinating ..Historians are taking note..Our grandchildren will be so proud to read about such a GREAT son of AFRICA..His message..So prophetic..He left an indelible mark on my generation..Yes, I be omoFela...the same ones dem call amugbo ..So what's new.Long live Anikulapo ..
Your love for Fela has blinded you to some truths. I live in Toronto, and I travel often to the U S and Europe, and I can tell you that no radio station has the patience to play such long running tracks like Fela's music. If Fela had shortened his tracks, he would have received much more airplay and would have had more global recognition than he did in his life time. Of course, posterity would hear about Fela's greatness. Posterity will also hear about all the crazy stuff Fela did.
Most artistes practice their art for the Love of the art. But adequate compensation comes to the very talented artistes. The notion that Fela was indiferent to wealth or fame is Romantic, but false. Fela's daughter is on record on youtube discussing Fela's painful poverty as well as Fela's fight with pirates who illegally pressed and sold his records. Fela knew the pirates were denying him rightful income. Fela's talent was such that he could have afforded anything. He was Africa's Gem!
Yes but what made him unique was that he stayed true to his craft. Something else you might not know is that he didn't perform a song once released. He would perform a song for years but once he puts it on wax he doesn't perform it any longer
@PeaceAndJustice357 Shehu Yar'dua that fela talked about is the brother of the for president of Nigeria who died last year. His brother shehu was part of the military government in Nigeria when they killed Fela's mom.
my anger today is that most of this things still happens and our people dont see it that way and not even think of a change to it, how we still live in a difficult styles of life, emmigrants to foreign countries, due to lesser help from our own leaders
Intelligence, strength, beauty of life and art as one bold entity, dignity for everybody and everything... if we need a deity at all, it would be the state of mind and way of living soaked with these elements that cultures built around the world you may call it Sun God or Mother Earth or just nothing these dull religions are the most effective instrument to oppress people's mind and soul Listen to Fela's mantra, build your shield against oppression
I wish Fela had done a few things differently. I wish he had not lived such a rebellious and confrontational life. I wish he shortened his tracks. These facts helped rob him of the global and comprehensive recognition he deserved. The man was a musical genius! But his life style over shadowed his genius.
It's not that Fela Kuti made some great statements against corruption, greed, western religion, and for greater unity in the world, he was just SO DAMN FUNKY as well!
Sorry I had to jump in...but I live in Toronto too and yes they do play Fela on the radio, u cant expect to hear Fela's music on GARBAGE station like Flow 93.5 or Z 103.5 next time try the multicultral stations like CKLN 88.1 or CHRY 105.5 where they do play some of Fela's hits. Even back in Feburary for Black History month they had a decication to Fela Kuti and played Fela music song all day.
Fela Kuti made this piece long time to describe the immoral practices of all these religious Gurus, till today dumb people stll follow and worship them; nowadays pastors and imams are not only neater than common people-they have private jets.
@RELIAQUOTE you are right and that is why I named him more than a prophet. He is truly Abami Eda that is a strange human being. He is a supernatural man.
@bitchboy4000 KNON 89.3 is the shit !! First heard Fela in 1985 ! on " The African Hour " ,hosted by Kwasi. Fela had that killer Industrial-Strength Funk !
You like to go on tangent. Let me write very S-LO-W-L-Y so that you will understand. The classical gems you listed mostly acquired universal renown long after their demise. That is my argument, that Fela did not get the universal and global recognition that his talent deserved, because Fela did a few things wrong. Mention Bob Marley in any part of the world, and people will recognize him. Fela does not have such universal renown, yet Fela was more talented than Bob Marley, by far!
Wavecurve.U are the one with blinders .When the susbstance of your argument is about airplay.How much content can be done in 4-5 minutes.That's why i said you can't understand.Fela's Music was never designed to be played in a short time span.Fela's pieces run anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.Let me also ask you tDo you listen to classical music.How long do you think they run .Mozart,Bach ,Do they get airplay on commercial radio -NO are they musical legends or Not-Yes..Go figure !!!
My broda,It seems like the grey matter between your ears dey erode gradually.There is a proverb that simply states that sooner or later "a stutterer" will call Baba '.Bbbb aab aaa baa baba.Ope titi akalolo a pe Please tell me if you've never done anything wrong.-Hypocrite..Fela LIVED.his life as he saw fit.maybe that's what you need to do - Get a LIFE !!!...One more thing,I see that you can't stay focused during the course of a disagreement .U remind me of the character in . " JJD"...
Clearly, you lack the intellectual capacity to sustain a reasoned argument, so you resort to hurling insults. You wrote that "Fela LIVED his life as he saw fit.". That is the point: Fela's riotous lifestyle was some times distasteful, and often directed focus away from his exceptional musical talent. Also, by refusing to shorten his tracks, he denied himself international airplay that would have further ensured global and universal recognition. I wish I had more space to further school you.
I ran into Fela in Amsterdam, While on tour in 1981, From a distance he looked like one of my cousins. I run up to grab him (thinking he was my cousin still) Two really big brothers tell me to stay back, and that this is Fela Kuti! I tell them he looks like my cousin. Fela comes over and gives me a big hug and says "Hey cousin!" then invites me to their waiting area. He tells me the story of how the police in Nigeria had thrown his Mom off a roof, he gave me a copy of this record.. Peace
You're busy dear🙄
Wow! What a story!...I unfortunately never seen Fela...yet Fela found me at 15yrs old in '95...so grateful for that day
Hhis voice and music still moves me in my inner soul...
Fela's music always gives a feeling of connection...
Fela did not write or play his music for fame, this guy was offered alot money to play his music but most time he refused, Fela chose to live a simple life amongst his people (as well as his sons)
Fela wrote his music for us.....
If anything its the Black people who need to recognize him.
"you africans please listen to me as africans and u non africans please listen to me with open minds" fela kuti - suffering and smiling
Shame that a lot of my black friends/colleagues haven't heard of him. When we celebrate black history at work, I always post a Fela choon ✌️
Nigerians would have listen to he's a man that says tomorrow great King rest in peace Nigeria a redeem his house for
I heard this playing in a Coffee Shop in Amsterdam.... I have been hooked ever since!
This is crucial shit. Out of the pain of his own mother's assaination at the hands of the Nigerian government. If you don't like jazz or juju just go somewhere else. The bass line is killer, the harmonics are flooring, with the use of his wives.
Also a commentary of the Imperialistic religious systems introduced into the continent. Real rebel shit 100%., but in characteristic artistic flair....this is Fela. Black President. RIP
❤️♠️💚
saw him 3 times
A Hero for Nigeria
Terriffying man
Genius
I'm enjoying Fela in Indonesia with indonesian.I told them d is d truet about our government n fela is d only 2rw person in Nigeria
really??
That sax intro is too good. Just learnt it on my guitar and I can't stop now. This is still my favourite Fela song, along with Trouble sleep. Great music.
The 3 dislikes are MKO Abiola, Obasanjo and Yar Adua.
God Bless the King of African Music!!!!!!!!!
Afrikan Genius anad Brilliance lives on...
what a great jam i will listen to this song over and over again.
RA'S WILLING HOMAGE SALUTE TO MI ICON MOST HONOURABLE GRANDMASTER TEACHER. WHO MAKE I RELATES ALL THAT IS SPOKEN, WITH IN THESE DAYS.I BEAR WITNESS . AND IF WE EVER NEED THESE WORDS SOUNDS WITH POWER IT'S NOW!!!! TRUE TALK REAL TALK REVOLUTIONARY VOODUM VIBRATIONS RASMARKABLE FELA AS ENERGY NEVER DISTINGUISH SO FACTUALLY WITH THE I MI ICON
2021, here we are !
Wavecurve...U can't understand..No need for me to even start ...Trust me In due time ...A whole Iroko tree starts off as a small plant and as time passes..It grows strong roots into the soil..Fela's memory is marinating ..Historians are taking note..Our grandchildren will be so proud to read about such a GREAT son of AFRICA..His message..So prophetic..He left an indelible mark on my generation..Yes, I be omoFela...the same ones dem call amugbo ..So what's new.Long live Anikulapo ..
The best song from Fela, for me that is..:))
Gosh what a talented man!!! A true Legend!!!
MOST HONOURABLE MI ICON GIVE THANKS VIBRATION FACTUALLY MI SAGE HOMAGE SALUTE ..
U were like 4 or 5 yrs old then ..Na omo kekere we dey call dem ..Send dem go buy cigar come from mallam. Thanks for the nostalgia !!!
Pure genius!
Your love for Fela has blinded you to some truths. I live in Toronto, and I travel often to the U S and Europe, and I can tell you that no radio station has the patience to play such long running tracks like Fela's music. If Fela had shortened his tracks, he would have received much more airplay and would have had more global recognition than he did in his life time. Of course, posterity would hear about Fela's greatness. Posterity will also hear about all the crazy stuff Fela did.
i have sooo much love for this song.
i love this song!!!!!!! i may be wrong..but i think i am the only american that understand this song
Gaysha Harris No Dear you are terribly wrong.
You are not! We overstand Fela ❤️♠️💚
Aaaaaaw, those are my favorite parts of the song. however, I had never heard that sax intro in any of the versions I ever heard.
Good job.
yeah they did and it was a very touching part of the play
this song was writting after the death of him mother...
Brave man and valorous SOUL
Most artistes practice their art for the Love of the art. But adequate compensation comes to the very talented artistes. The notion that Fela was indiferent to wealth or fame is Romantic, but false. Fela's daughter is on record on youtube discussing Fela's painful poverty as well as Fela's fight with pirates who illegally pressed and sold his records. Fela knew the pirates were denying him rightful income. Fela's talent was such that he could have afforded anything. He was Africa's Gem!
Yes but what made him unique was that he stayed true to his craft. Something else you might not know is that he didn't perform a song once released. He would perform a song for years but once he puts it on wax he doesn't perform it any longer
fela is A lion in Africa may hey soul r i p
Amazing song.
très belle chanson
@PeaceAndJustice357 Shehu Yar'dua that fela talked about is the brother of the for president of Nigeria who died last year. His brother shehu was part of the military government in Nigeria when they killed Fela's mom.
my anger today is that most of this things still happens and our people dont see it that way and not even think of a change to it, how we still live in a difficult styles of life, emmigrants to foreign countries, due to lesser help from our own leaders
Jamming love the message #newfan
Intelligence, strength, beauty of life and art as one bold entity, dignity for everybody and everything...
if we need a deity at all, it would be the state of mind and way of living soaked with these elements
that cultures built around the world
you may call it Sun God or Mother Earth or just nothing
these dull religions are the most effective instrument to oppress people's mind and soul
Listen to Fela's mantra, build your shield against oppression
unbelievable how he refers to Yar Adua here, and look at NOW!
oh Fela
RIP BABA you are a true legend.
Gather here for selfie if you if u still here in 2019
wow, on your guiar huh? You should post a video. I think many would appreciate seeing it.
I wish Fela had done a few things differently. I wish he had not lived such a rebellious and confrontational life. I wish he shortened his tracks.
These facts helped rob him of the global and comprehensive recognition he deserved. The man was a musical genius!
But his life style over shadowed his genius.
The present President of Nigeria, now ailing in a Saudi Arabian hospital. His term did not satisfy the nation.
long live fela!!!!!
if not for his life style he wouldnt be inspired like this. check his words and life they are all based on the things he has seen and experienced
Raw prophecy to #Nigeria
It's not that Fela Kuti made some great statements against corruption, greed, western religion, and for greater unity in the world, he was just SO DAMN FUNKY as well!
Sorry I had to jump in...but I live in Toronto too and yes they do play Fela on the radio, u cant expect to hear Fela's music on GARBAGE station like Flow 93.5 or Z 103.5
next time try the multicultral stations like CKLN 88.1 or CHRY 105.5 where they do play some of Fela's hits. Even back in Feburary for Black History month they had a decication to Fela Kuti and played Fela music song all day.
amen man
@Jooniebug No mucician like FELA the only one next to him is another legend Bob Marley. May their soul rest in perfect peace
Fela Kuti made this piece long time to describe the immoral practices of all these religious Gurus, till today dumb people stll follow and worship them; nowadays pastors and imams are not only neater than common people-they have private jets.
Many thanks to Moorish Feast for introducing me to this track, and also to Chicken Bourek. :D
we have lost a great son of the soil
@RELIAQUOTE you are right and that is why I named him more than a prophet. He is truly Abami Eda that is a strange human being. He is a supernatural man.
No not that Yar Adua. the one who is ailing now is the younger brother of Shehu who he is referring to and has been dead for over 16 years.
rest in peace
This is in my music test lmao
@bitchboy4000 KNON 89.3 is the shit !! First heard Fela in 1985 ! on " The African Hour " ,hosted by Kwasi. Fela had that killer Industrial-Strength Funk !
...unknown soldier.
oooo lord habahala:)
This song was deep. I think he made this after they killed his mom.
Afrikan Intelligence
Yeah, his mom was killed and then he wrote this song. He wrote about it in This Bitch of a Life.
You like to go on tangent. Let me write very S-LO-W-L-Y so that you will understand. The classical gems you listed mostly acquired universal renown long after their demise. That is my argument, that Fela did not get the universal and global recognition that his talent deserved, because Fela did a few things wrong. Mention Bob Marley in any part of the world, and people will recognize him. Fela does not have such universal renown, yet Fela was more talented than Bob Marley, by far!
2 Government thieves don't like this song !!!!!!!!!!
they do bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad things -- yes they do.
Wavecurve.U are the one with blinders .When the susbstance of your argument is about airplay.How much content can be done in 4-5 minutes.That's why i said you can't understand.Fela's Music was never designed to be played in a short time span.Fela's pieces run anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.Let me also ask you tDo you listen to classical music.How long do you think they run .Mozart,Bach ,Do they get airplay on commercial radio -NO are they musical legends or Not-Yes..Go figure !!!
Who is or was yar Adua?
Was the vice president during the military regime of the time 1977. His younger brother became president in 2007 and died in office
what is wrong with all of you?grow!
Obasanjo and Yaradua don't like this song...
My broda,It seems like the grey matter between your ears dey erode gradually.There is a proverb that simply states that sooner or later "a stutterer" will call Baba '.Bbbb aab aaa baa baba.Ope titi akalolo a pe Please tell me if you've never done anything wrong.-Hypocrite..Fela LIVED.his life as he saw fit.maybe that's what you need to do - Get a LIFE !!!...One more thing,I see that you can't stay focused during the course of a disagreement .U remind me of the character in . " JJD"...
Clearly, you lack the intellectual capacity to sustain a reasoned argument, so you resort to hurling insults. You wrote that "Fela LIVED his life as he saw fit.". That is the point: Fela's riotous lifestyle was some times distasteful, and often directed focus away from his exceptional musical talent. Also, by refusing to shorten his tracks, he denied himself international airplay that would have further ensured global and universal recognition. I wish I had more space to further school you.