Fela Kuti
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Fela Kuti – Roforofo Fight
Biography
Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria (1938 – 1997)
HMV Magazine ranked him as #46 on a list of the 100 most influential musicians of the 20th century.
The musical style performed by Fela Kuti is called Afrobeat, which is essentially a fusion of jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional Yoruban chants and rhythms. It is characterized by having African-style percussion, vocals, and musical structure, along with jazzy, funky horn sections. The endless groove is also used, in which a base rhythm of drums, shekere, muted guitar, and bass guitar are repeated throughout the song. His band was notable for featuring two baritone saxophones, whereas most groups using this instrument only use one. This is a common technique in African and African-influenced musical styles, and can be seen in funk and hip-hop. Some elements often present in Fela’s music are the call-and-response within the chorus and figurative but simple lyrics. Fela’s songs were almost always over 10 minutes in length, some reaching the 20- or even 30-minute marks, while some unreleased tracks would last up to 45 minutes when performed live. This was one of many reasons that his music never reached a substantial degree of popularity outside of Africa. His songs were mostly sung in Nigerian pidgin, although he also performed a few songs in the Yoruba language.
Top Tracks
Top Albums
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Expensive Shit
19,966 listeners2 tracks
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Zombie
22,228 listeners4 tracks
Released:
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The Best of the Black President
47,076 listeners13 tracks
Released:
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Anthology Vol.1
9,557 listeners16 tracks
Released:
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Omig
Jazz Hop, Soul, Afrobeat project from Brazil - Live Show "Mental Abstrato & Friends" @CLASH CLUB in São Paulo!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cwhu0lZd68
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the_strand
Totally worth getting the Complete Works collection.
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zircontweez
8-bit version of Water No Get Enemy on YouTube. Blew my mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhwP9DGmmj8
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vacuola
God [2]
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IAJP
god of rhythm.
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floatondc
addicting grooves!
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r_lucas
music is the weapon
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TheMonarch1
Check out his son Seun performing "Zombie" at the historic Englert Theater in Iowa City > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzQRiRyT6dk
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Roncsipar
Confusion. Water get no enemy. Shakalaodé!!!
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samuelfox1990
If you have not seen it yet, watch this documentary on Fela. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz7mMJD5LeQ
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Fastarthur
Mestre!
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iconan
The Black President. Inventor of Afrobeat music. A revolutionary. - -.-.-.-. om hari om ..... ॐ
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Nakkinak
cool stuff
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rhinowing
shuffering and shmiling is excellent
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zarqu
Fela created really outstanding music.
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Saskatchewan_
I love Fela. Afrobeat is fantastic. I don't understand why so many people can't dig Jazz, it's wonderful if you find the right artists.
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genitivodeautor
Awesome
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lost1in1death
Not big on jazzy stuff, but damn dis is good.
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Sphen1234
any recommendations on what albums of his to get?
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Sphynex
legend
All 460 shouts
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