Revisiting the Timeless Afrobeat of Fela Kuti on Three Tunes Tuesday
Greetings music lovers, our Three Tunes Tuesday will be taking an exciting turn down memory lane today. Thanks to @ablaze for this great initiative. So today we will be focusing our attention on the legendary Fela Kuti who we all know is a maestro when it comes to Afrobeat and conventional West African chants and rhythms.
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Fela's music was not just a music meant to entertain the ears only, it was a powerful form of expressing himself when it comes to rallying against government corruption, poverty, and the societal issues that tormented many African countries back then. Sadly, despite Fela's effort to fight against these issues with his music back then, we are still being tormented by these issues even today. I wonder when we will be finally free.
Quickly, let’s dive into three of Fela Kuti’s extraordinary tracks that will never be forgotten when it comes to music and culture.
The first on my list is "Water No Get Enemy”(1975). This song was from the album "Expensive Shit," and I see it as an emblem of Fela’s genius as he was able to blend smooth rhythms with significant lyrics.
I love the fact that this song celebrates the fundamental role water plays in our life. Trust me guys, this is a masterpiece that is sure to encourage everyone that listens to it to reflect on the simple, fundamental elements of life that unite us all.
The second song on this list is Zombie” (1976). This song is perhaps one of Fela Kuti’s most iconic and politically charged song. I might be wrong though but this is just my opinion and that's why I said perhaps. In this song, Fela delivered a scathing indictment of the Nigerian military’s mindless obedience to authoritarian commands. He uses the metaphor of a "zombie" to criticize soldiers who follow orders without thought or question.
I loved the fact that the lyrics of this song has lots of meaning. Even though this song came with repercussions for Fela, it didn't stop him from speaking out. This shows how courageous he is to stand for truth and justice.
Finally, "Gentleman” (1973) is the last song on the list today. In this song, Fela criticised the post-colonial African elite who had to adopt the Western ways and manners, including wearing suits even when it's so hot. He saw it as a form of cultural imperialism and he went ahead to declare himself a "non-gentleman" in protest and refused to conform to foreign standards of life.
I loved the fact that this song is both a celebration of the African culture, our identity and a criticism to the colonial mindsets that had lingered for so long.
Honestly, Fela Kuti's music actually goes beyond just entertainment. His songs serves as a tool for social change, same way it serves as a medium for expression. Openly criticising the corruption of the government, advocacating for human rights, and insisting on African pride shows how fearless he was and guys, his brave act helped him to cement his legacy as one of the most influential African artists of the 20th century.
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