Afrobeat Legend
Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti aka Fela Anikulapo
Fela Kuti
Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, professionally known as Fela Anikulapo Kuti, was a Nigerian musician, composer, bandleader, political activist, and Pan-Africanist, born on October 15, 1938, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is globally celebrated as the pioneer and architect of Afrobeat, a genre that fuses traditional African rhythms with jazz, funk, and highlife.
Fela was born into an elite and politically conscious family; his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was a renowned women’s rights activist, while his father was an Anglican minister and educator. He studied music at Trinity College of Music, London, where he developed his distinctive musical philosophy and political consciousness.
Upon returning to Nigeria, Fela formed several bands, most notably Africa ’70 and later Egypt ’80. His music became a powerful tool for social commentary, directly confronting corruption, colonial mentality, military dictatorship, and social injustice. Songs like Zombie, Water No Get Enemy, Sorrow, Tears and Blood, Shakara, and Expensive Shit remain timeless protest anthems.
Fela declared his commune, the Kalakuta Republic, independent from Nigeria and famously renamed himself “Anikulapo,” meaning “He who carries death in his pouch.” His fearless activism led to repeated arrests, beatings, and government persecution, yet he remained unapologetic and defiant throughout his life.
Beyond music, Fela’s influence extended into politics, fashion, philosophy, and African identity. His legacy lives on through his extensive discography, his children—most notably Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti—and his enduring impact on global music and protest culture.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti died on August 2, 1997, but remains one of Africa’s most influential cultural icons.
