“Mariama” a programme with African music. Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Fela Ransome Kuti (He later called himself Fela Anikulapo Kuti), pioneer of Afro-Beat, was born in 1938 and died of Aids in 1997. He studied at an English conservatory. During his tour in 1969 through the USA he came into contact with the Black Panther movement. Since that time Black Power and exploitation by leaders became themes of his sarcastic political lyrics.
The military leaders of Nigeria considered Fela Kuti to be a big threat because of his strong lyrics and popularity. His commune, the "Kalakuta Republic", in which he lived with his 28 women and his band members was attacked in 1977 and burned down by the army, at which his mother got killed and he himself got wounded. Until 1979 he went into exile in Ghana. In 1985 Fela got a prison sentence of five years, but was released due to the pressure of the public opinion in 1987. He released more than 50 politically charged albums.
In his music he combined influences from Soul, Highlife, Jazz and traditional music to make his own "Afro-Beat". He performed his music in a big band, first in Africa ’70 and later in Egypt ’80. Fela Kuti played keyboard, soprano and tenor saxophone.
Two long charges against the military regime in Nigeria: O.D.O.O. (Overtone Don Overtone Overtone) (1990) en Just like that (1989).
“When they want to call Nigerian government
Them give am name, "Federal Military Government"
(Federal Military Government!)
For Libya dem give am name, "Liberation Council"
(Liberation Council!)
For Liberia dem give am name, "Redemption Council"
(Redemption Council!)
For Zaire dem give am name, "Revolutionary Council"
(Revolutionary Council!)
Them get different different names
For different different governments
But the correct name for them
Na "soldier go, soldier come"
…
“Na so our lives for Africa dey roll
Since them say we get independence
The civilian government wey them dey
Na soldier dey protect them
When our lives roll small
He go go knock head for wall
When our lives roll small
He go go knock head for tree
When our lives roll small
He go go knock head for stone" “ (uit O.D.O.O.)
