This background propelled me to discover more music. overtime I saw myself with the need to discover new music and artistes. Unfortunately, in 2005 one could not access internet to forward hoax messages on my email or chat with relatives around on Yahoo Messenger. So, I had to rely on Music Tv channels like Channel O, MTV base or radio stations for music. You had to settled with what was played, you had no choice. Except it was a request show, but if the song is not available you are on your own.
I was with a radio set one random afternoon since there was no power supply which is very typical in this part of the world. I was tuning for a good station then I heard, “Water e no get enemy…” coupled with the sax, the African drums, bass guitar all in unison, the keyboard hitting the notes. It was so clear and captivating. I had never heard anything like that. Then the radio presenter interrupted and said, that was “Water No get Enemy the Afrobeat Legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti …”.
I continued tuning endlessly trying to find out if the song will be played elsewhere. No luck.
From that moment till today my life hasn’t remained the same. I longed to hear the song, any song from the great man. Months later I came across the CD in my dad’s car, I was so elated. He played the CD in the car on one of our numerous road trips, I knew I had found love. But at that moment I realised why they never played his songs on the radio. They were just too long! An average Fela song is at least 10 to 15 minutes.
My dad that day gave me the background story to every track that was played that day. Tracks like Beast of No Nation, O.D.O.O, Sorrow Tears and Blood, Suffering and Smiling, Coffin for Head of State, I.T.T. and so many more. It wasn’t only a musical experience, it was a political science and history class. Fela didn’t only make good music for dancing but he ignited a fire of consciousness in your mind like no other musician in Africa.
He once said in an interview with Hand Borowitz where he said “Music is supposed to an effect. If you are playing music and people don’t feel something, you are not doing shit. That’s what African music is about. When you hear something, you must move. I want people to dance but to also think. Music wants to dictate a better life, and you are not having a better life, it must influence you.”
Over the years of listening to Fela’s music I realised a very sad truth. The issues he addressed in his songs in the 70s and 80s are issues we still face today in 2018 such as Tyrannical leaders, corruption, religious blindness, Neo-colonialism, brutalisation of civilians by security agencies and many more. He spoke against leaders like Buhari and Obasanjo. Like did he know they will still in power 21 years after his death. It seems like nothing has changed, rather things are even getting worse. He suffered attacks from the government. He was arrested numerous times on far fetched charges. He was imprisoned by General Buhari in 1984 for 20 months on Money Laundry charges. His mother was thrown form a storey building by Unknown Soldiers. His home and concert hall were burned down, and he lost everything he owned. At the time he was planning to produce a film. All these were aimed at bringing him down, but he remained strong in his stance.
Fela wasn’t. He gave freely to the poor to a fault. I don’t agree with him on many issues such as, the belief that Mushin life is better than Ikoyi life, the belief that Christianity is for white men and that African gods are for Africans. Believing in Non-African gods is as result of colonial mentality. Fela believed that a man should have numerous women. He made the argument that men are naturally promiscuous and should not hide it. He had sexual relations with numerous women more than he could even count (always looking for the big nyash he will bury his prick inside) which ultimately contributed to his death
Despite all these trials and tribulations Fela did more for the Nigerian people than any of our leaders. He created so much exposure that current artistes are enjoying. Artistes like Femi Kuti, Wiz kid, Seun Kuti, Asa, Nneka, Burna Boy and virtually every Afrobeat artiste in Nigeria. His music has been sampled by international artistes all over the world. He helped to the change the European’s perspective of the African Man. He dedicated his life for the freedom and liberation of the African man. Music was his medium to change world.
There are so many misconceptions about Fela I would to clear.
He never performed on stage in his underwear. He was only seen in his underwear in his house or backstage but never one stage. Yes, he has performed shirtless but never in his underwear. He was highly educated, he studied music in Holy Trinity College of Music instead of studying Medicine. What a man!
Not all Fela songs had a political undertone. He had songs where he addressed other societal issues such as, Roforoforo Fight, Yellow Fever, Lady, Gentleman etc. He also had a sense of humour, but he always had a message. It’s worthy of note that once he records a song, he never performs the song again. It helped him remain creative and propelled him to create more music.
He didn’t create Afrobeat alone, he worked closely with renowned drummer, Tony Allen. They worked together in America coupled with their experiences with funk and jazz artistes, Afrobeat was born. It is a fusion of Jazz. Highlife, Traditional African Music, Classical Music. Fela once said that without Tony Allen there will be no Afrobeat.
He married 27 women in a day to avoid facing kidnapping charges. It was alleged that Fela was kidnapping women and using them as dancers and backup singers. So, he married them, and the charges were dropped. He later adopted a rotation system of keeping 12 wives at a time.
He died of HIV related cases and not necessarily of HIV. He didn’t die of cancer or drug overdose. He refused treatment for a long while before he died. He only believed in African medicine. His burial was attended by almost a million people.
Sometimes I wonder how Nigeria will be if Fela was still alive. What could be reaction to current state of things in Nation. I can imagine the songs he will sing about our dim-witted fellows in the Senate and State Government Houses. What would have been his reaction when Emmanuel Macron announced his visit to the Afrika Shrine. I wonder what he will have to say about the new kids on the block and how they are following his footsteps taking Africa to the world.
A boy can only dream.
Rest in Power King.
Death remains in your pouch because your legacy lives on.
