Fela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, the popular musician and activist who created the Afrobeat music movement, has remained the subject of global obsession.
In the past few days, the social media space has been rife with repeated comparisons between Afrobeats singer Ayodeji “Wizkid” Balogun and Fela Kuti by Wizkid’s fanbase, known as Wizkid FC.
Seun Kuti, Fela’s son, has consistently argued that such comparisons are disrespectful, insisting that his father’s legacy goes beyond music to political activism and cultural resistance.
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Fela was born on 15 October 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, to influential upper-middle-class parents.
He began his education at Abeokuta Grammar School after taking music lessons on the piano and percussion from his father. A lot of Fela’s honours and awards came well after his death
Fela’s 1969 album The ’69 Los Angeles Sessions marks the beginning of Afrobeat, a genre that has further kept his legacy alive.
His activism resonates across time and societies. His 1978 song Sorrow, Tears and Blood, for example, was recorded after the Nigerian Army attacked and burned his commune in 1977.
Here are his top tracks:
1. Let’s Start
2. I.T.T. — International Thief Thief
3. Water No Get Enemy
4. 2000 Blacks Got To Be Free
5. Fogo Fogo
6. Expensive Shit
7. Gentleman
8. Upside Down
9. Zombie
10. Coffin for Head of State
