EgoAssassin.com – Music. Satire. Controversy.

Several years ago I was introduced to a Nigerian saxophone player by the name of Fela Kuti. He turned out to be much more than a sax player, he’s actually one of the pioneers and innovators of a unique and global musical style called Afrobeat. Fela Kuti was involved in music since the 1950’s (way before I was even thought up), and he eventually became a well-known front man/sax player for one of the most notorious Afrobeat groups of all time, named “Afrika 70″ (Fela Kuti and the Afrika 70). Unfortunately, similar to the Bob Nesta Marley story, Fela would never live to see how positive of an impact was made from his ideas, music, innovative style, and outspoken persona. This impact continues to make a giant, yet under the radar mark in the music scene worldwide.

When it comes to the Afrobeat genre, you can expect a wide variety of explanations on what it actually sounds like and where the roots originate from, but this style of music stands alone as a truly eclectic one. You’ll hear just about every hard core jazz, soul, funk, highlife, reggae, blues, R & B, and rock beat imaginable. The songs are often instrumental, with a strong focus on blunt horn lines, extravagant organ/keys, and often tribal-choir style backup melodies. If you think this sounds flamboyant, just wait until you see the attire that the bands wear and the live energy of the shows themselves. The style of music was in the hight of its popularity and in Africa during the 1970s, but the pure afrobeat sound continues to exist with several bands like New York based Antibalas, the Daktaris, and Fela’s son, Femi Kuti, who also plays saxophone and sings.

Fela Kuti was not only a musician, but a strong political and social activist who drove for major changes throughout his local nation and around the globe. He was notorious for not only holding a rebellious, arrogantly brash attitude, but also held controversial views on heated debates of the time. He was known for being very outspoken about his views against capitalism, racism, and his promotion of the polygynous lifestyle. His live performances are a spectacle to say the least and one could only imagine what it would have been like to catch an actual live show when he was living. Fela passed away in 1997 in his native country of Nigeria. He was only 58 years old, but his music and spirit lives on. Thanks for the tunes and thanks for building the Afrobeat genre Fela!

Below is a video clip from one of Fela’s songs, entitled: Music is A Weapon