Fela Kuti Lives On

Born on October 15 1938 to Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti popularly known as Fela Kuti, was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, musician, composer, pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre and human rights activist.

During his lifetime, he was referred to as Superstar, Panafricanist, Mystic even Legend. Fela Kuti was often hailed as one of Africa’s most “challenging and charismatic music performers”.

His self pioneered Afrobeat sound has put Nigerian music, culture, arts and sound on a new pedestal in the world as much as lyrics of Fela’s songs continue to remain relevant in the current political and economic clime in Nigeria.  This Afrobeat sound continues to dictate and dominate the sound of music all over the world leaving his footprint in the sands of time.

Had he been alive, he would have turned 80 by October this year but he passed on, on 2 August 1997 at the age of 58 from complications related to AIDS.

Late Fela Kuti left the world with several music albums including Why Black Man Dey Suffer (1971), Shakara (1972), Afrodisiac (1973), Gentleman (1973).  He was survived by wives and children, notable among them are: Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Motunrayo Kuti and Sola Kuti