Fela Kuti
- Type: Bandleader
- Country: Nigeria
- Born: 1958 in London, England, United Kingdom
- Died: 2 August 1997, Lagos, Nigeria
- Active: 1958 - 1997
Biography
Fela Kuti was the pioneering force behind Afrobeat, a revolutionary blend of West African highlife, Yoruba music, jazz, and funk. A charismatic multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, and composer, his sprawling, politically charged compositions often stretched across entire album sides, driven by the masterful drumming of *Tony Allen*. Kuti's music was inseparable from his radical political activism against Nigeria's corrupt military regimes, a stance that brought him international acclaim and severe government persecution. Albums like 'Zombie' and 'Expensive Shit' are towering testaments to his musical and political courage, establishing him as one of the most influential and defiant artistic voices of the 20th century.
Genres
Fela Kuti Discography
- Shakara (1972) - Album - rated 4/5
- Afrodisiac (1973) - Album - rated 4.05/5
- Confusion (1974) - Album - rated 4.02/5
- Excuse O (1975) - Album - rated 3.91/5
- Fear Not for Man (1977) - Album - rated 3.81/5
- No Agreement (1977) - Album - rated 3.97/5
- Shuffering and Shmiling (1978) - Album - rated 3.99/5
- Original Sufferhead (1981) - Album - rated 3.84/5
- Coffin for Head of State (1981) - Album - rated 3.98/5
- Army Arrangement (1985) - Album - rated 3.74/5
- Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense (1986) - Album - rated 3.72/5
- Confusion Break Bones (1990) - Album - rated 3.31/5
- ODOO (1990) - Album - rated 3.39/5
- Expensive Shit / He Miss Road (1997) - Compilation - rated 4.29/5
- Shakara / London Scene (1999) - Compilation - rated 4.06/5
- King of Afrobeat: The Anthology (1999) - Compilation - rated 4.45/5
- Coffin for Head of State / Unknown Soldier (1999) - Compilation - rated 4.1/5
- Confusion / Gentleman (1999) - Compilation - rated 4.21/5
- Yellow Fever / Na Poi (1999) - Compilation - rated 3.67/5
- Original Sufferhead / I.T.T. (2000) - Compilation - rated 4.02/5
- Shuffering & Shmiling / No Agreement (2000) - Compilation - rated 4.07/5
- Opposite People / Sorrow Tears and Blood (2000) - Compilation - rated 4.11/5
- Stalemate / Fear Not for Man (2000) - Compilation - rated 3.85/5
- V.I.P. (Vagabonds in Power) / Authority Stealing (2000) - Compilation - rated 3.65/5
- Beasts of No Nation / O.D.O.O. (2001) - Compilation - rated 3.79/5
- Upside Down / Music of Many Colours (2001) - Compilation - rated 3.87/5
- Ikoyi Blindness / Kalakuta Show (2001) - Compilation - rated 3.82/5
- J.J.D. / Unnecessary Begging (2001) - Compilation - rated 3.75/5
- Everything Scatter / Noise for Vendor Mouth (2001) - Compilation - rated 3.77/5
- Koola Lobitos 1964-1968 / The '69 Los Angeles Sessions (2001) - Compilation - rated 3.63/5
- Monkey Banana / Excuse O (2001) - Compilation - rated 3.82/5
- Open & Close / Afrodisiac (2001) - Compilation - rated 4.04/5
- The Best of the Black President (2002) - Compilation - rated 4.69/5
Members
- Fela Kuti - vocals, saxophone, keyboards, piano, guitar, percussion (1958–1997)
- Tony Allen - drums (1964–1979)
- Lekan Animashaun - baritone saxophone (1974–1997)
- Oghene Kologbo - tenor guitar (1971–1978)
- Dele Sosimi - keyboards (1979–1986)
- Femi Kuti - alto saxophone (1979–1986)