Born in Abeokuta on 15th October 1938 as Olufela, Olusegun, Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, he was to be known by one name only: Fela.
By the age of eight, he began playing the piano and organ. He became his schools pianist, playing at morning assemblies. As a young teen, he played in a band called Cool Cats. His rebellious side was also beginning to emerge: at age sixteen he formed a club called 'The Planless Society', with just seven members, its sole aim was to violate all school rules. Fela also edited the journal of the club; 'The Planless Times Publication'. This was swiftly banned by the school authorities.
His political side was equally being nurtured by his activist mother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. She was a key figure in the nationalist struggle and took Fela to political rallies. When Fela was 18, she introduced him to Kwame Nkrumah, Fela has since said that the experience 'changed his life'.
In 1958, at the age of nineteen, Fela went to Britain to further his education. He studied Classical Music at the Trinity College of Music, concentrating on wood wind instruments. He also formed a jazz band with his best friend Jimo Kombi Braimah (J.K), called Koola Lobitos.
By 1961, he had met and married his first wife Remi Taylor. By 1963, he was back in Nigeria working at the then Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation as a radio producer. This stint didn't last long, he chose to concentrate on his re-formed band Koola Lobitos. As 'highlife' was the 'in' sound at the time, Fela decided to play something completely different calling it 'highlife jazz'.
In 1967, he made a trip to Ghana to get more gigs and began to contemplate a complete turn around of his music. He settled on root African music, which he christened Afrobeat. He returned to Nigeria and established a club called Afrospot. With the Biafran war in full force he decided to leave the country again, this time to America. Fela has said of this time, "I wasn't politically minded at all. I made my comments as a citizen. I was just another musician, playing with Koola Lobitos and singing love songs, songs about rain, about people...what did I know?"
America in 1969 was at the peak of its Civil Rights movement. Fela met and fell in love with Sandra Smith (now Sandra Isidore), whom was to leave an indelible mark on him. She introduced him to the ideologies of the Black Panthers, the reform of the Civil Rights activists and gave him books written by Black radicals. Fela has said of this indoctrination, "Sandra gave me the education I wanted to know. She was the one who opened my eyes." Fela also composed what he called 'his first African hit song' titled, 'My Lady Frustration', under a new band name; Nigeria 70. This was well received by American audiences.
Keyed up with all his new ideas, he returned to Nigeria. By 1971, he had changed the name of his band from Nigeria 70 to Africa 70, and his night club from Afrospot to the Shrine. His music equally reflected the change surging through his mental state of mind. He at last had his first National hit record with 'Jeun Koku' (Eat and Die), with the new direction of his music. Fela also wrote (he paid for the space) for the Daily Times, a column titled 'Chief Priest Says'. Here, he blatantly composed vitriolic speeches against the Nigerian government. This laid a firm foundation for future clashes between the two.
By 1974, he had his first brush with the law, when he was arrested for possession of Indian Hemp at the Shrine. His subsequent detainment and imprisonment was to be a constant pattern throughout the remainder of his life and a source of inspiration for his music. The following year, saw the change of his 'slave' name from Ransome to Anikulapo ( meaning 'one who has death in his pocket').
Of the numerous altercations Fela has had with the Nigerian government, 18th February 1977 will forever remain a milestone in his life. His family house, called Kalakuta Republic was besieged by Nigerian soldiers. The house was consequently set on fire. The damage ensued cannot be quantified, however, valuable possessions; like a tape of his forthcoming film 'Black President' perished. Dozens sustained malleable injuries. His 78 year-old mother whom was thrown out of a window, died months later as a result. Fela himself ended up with a cracked skull, amongst other injuries which affected his capabilities on the trumpet and saxophone. He never recovered financially either. He also served time in jail for his role of 'safe guarding his person and property'. This incident led to the now very famous songs 'Unknown Soldier' and 'Sorrow, Tears & Blood', released in 1977 and 1979 respectively.
In 1978, in a total act of defiance against moral and social issues, Fela married 27 women in one traditional ceremony. This event was televised around the nation. Two days prior, which was to be the original ceremony, his long-standing lawyer Tunji Braithwaite, denounced the union(s) just minutes before it was to take place in front of the nations press and reporters. Many years later, in 1986, Fela did however dissolve the marriage(s).
In 1979, Fela formed the aptly titled Movement of the People (M.O.P) political party. His slogans of campaign were tantamount to his maverick life style. His bid for presidency was without success, as his party was disqualified from the elections. This is also the year, Fela proceeded to deride the then head of state; Olusegun Obasanjo, by presenting him with his late mothers coffin. This dire straits was detailed in his hit song 'Coffin for Head of State'.
The Nigerian government, perhaps exasperated by the sole antics of Fela, had previously nominated him as a member of the Police Public relations committee. In 1981, Fela scorned this nomination by removing the berets of two police traffic wardens. Suffice to say, he was once again arrested and detained for his actions. Fela also changed the name of his band from Africa 70 to Egypt 80.
On leaving the country for a tour of America in 1984, Fela was arrested at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, for failing to declare the sum of £1,600. He was found guilty of currency trafficking and sentenced to a term of ten years imprisonment. He was released after serving 20 months, by the Chief of General Staff; Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, whom saw Fela's conviction as a 'disgrace to the Federal Government!' Fela himself said of the incident,"...the authorities didn't want us to go to the US to play, but I never expected them to do anything as low as this."
Now a free man once again. He toured America, introducing his music to a new generation. He performed at a Amnesty International benefit in New Jersey, alongside the likes of U2 and Peter Gabriel. Thus, the Mayor of Berkeley, California named 14 November 1986 'Fela Kuti Day'. On returning to Nigeria, he released, amongst others, the diatribe 'Teacher don't teach me nonsense' and 'I go shout plenty' anti-apartheid albums - a direct attack on the Botha, Reagan and Thatcher leadership(s).
As far back as 1987, rumours had begun to circulate that Fela had AIDS, as a result of his continuous health deterioration but this was publicly debunked by his brother Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti.
Over the following years Fela continued to lock horns with whichever government was in power. In 1993, he was arrested and charged with murder over the death of one his 'boys' at the Shrine. He was later exonerated of any wrong doing after serving several months in jail. in 1996, two unknown gunmen opened fire on his residential home. Fela was unhurt but six people sustained serious gunshot wounds.
The year 1997 marked the beginning of the end: Fela played his last public paying show on 7th March at the Muson Center. By April, he was again in the clutches of the police. Yet another raid on the shrine culminated in Fela being detained for possession of and trafficking in drugs. He was paraded on national television in hand and foot shackles. Major General Musa Bamaiyi claimed Fela was being detained mainly for rehabilitation purposes, so Fela can be 'weaned off a drug he has been addicted to over the years'
By the time he was released two weeks later, his lawyer Femi Falana had filed a 10million Naira law suit against National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Fela's shrine had been occupied by the NDLEA. In mid-July, Fela collapsed at his home and was rushed to hospital. Towards the end of the month, speculation had reached fever pitch over his health. A national newspaper announced his death - this prompted Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti to issue a press release, on the 24th July to quell such rumours; "He is responding to treatment", he announced.
I'm sure all Fela fans would have heaved a sigh of relief (I know I did) however, this feeling was short-lived. On the 2nd August 1997, at 5:30pm approximately, Olufela Anikulapo-Kuti died from heart failure arising from complications of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. As Fela had said; "when you think you die, you're not dead. Its a transition." - With his faithful Nigerian Green Grass accompanying him on his journey, he may well be in transition, smoking away, looking and just laughing...
18.01.07 20:23 Copyright© 2001 Jekki. [email protected]