Born in Abeokuta, Nigeria on October 15th, 1938 as Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti this musician later changed his name to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, his middle name meaning "he who carries death in his pouch".
His first band, Koola Lobitos was formed in 1963 a large Jazz ensemble, combining the aspects of Jazz, Funk and African rhythms, the band had many configurations over the years. After an American tour in 1969 the band's name was changed to Afrika 70 with whom he recorded albums with Ginger Baker of Cream fame and Bobby Gass (Tench) formerly of the Jeff Beck Group during the early seventies. In 1981 he again changed the band's name to Egypt 80.
In his lifetime he put his mark on over 70 record albums.
As a human rights revolutionary he started his own political party, Movement Of The People, in protest of the kleptocracy in Nigeria. A staunch Polygamist he had his own compound called the
Kalakuta Republic in Lagoswhere he declared independence from Nigeria and lived with his uncountable number of wives suffering constant harassment by the government.
A sufferer of AIDS Fela passed away August 2nd 1997 of heart failure.
Tonight I bring you two full concert performances from Fela, enjoy.
Unofficial Website
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