In remembrance of the music icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who died on August 2, 1997, we bring you 19 facts you thought you knew about the king of Afrobeat. Though it’s been 20 years since he departed this world, the Afrobeat maestro continues to live in the hearts of those who know his worth.
Did you know that “Mr Who-Are-You?” and “Na Fight O” were the first in a series of narratives in which the Abami Eda used his personal experiences as “resources” for explorations of topics of wider interest?
If you were asked which was the first album cover Ghariokwu Lemi designed for Fela and you said Unnecessary Begging, you are absolutely wrong.
It was Alagbon Close.
You must have heard of Kalakuta Records, but did you know that Fela set it up after Decca recording company refused to release Sorrow, Tears, and Blood? The album became the label’s debut release.
This next one sounds unbelievable, but it’s true.
In March 1980, Fela accepted a police invitation to serve as a member of the Police Public Relations Committee.
This one is not as incredulous but did you know that in June 1984, a documentary film entitled Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense based on Fela’s political life was broadcast to a British audience by the BBC?
Did you know that “Kalakuta” is a Swahili word that means “rascal”?
You probably knew that his first band was called Koola Lobitos. However, have you ever asked yourself what those words stood for?
Well, “Koola” has no apparent meaning but “Lobitos” is Spanish for “little wolves”!
Let’s talk about colour this time.
Did you know that orange was his favourite colour? This one is a bit debatable because the colour red and black have also been mentioned on one or two occasions. Maybe Femi or Yeni Kuti can bail us out here!
Now to FESTAC.
It’s a common knowledge that Fela did not participate in the second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture – known as FESTAC – in 1977. But did you know that he put forward a nine-point programme, which outlined his conditions for participating at the event?
Let’s throw this easy one in the mix.
The “White Paper” report by the Federal Government on February 18, 1977, invasion of Kalakuta Republic claimed that the fire that engulfed Fela’s house started accidentally by an “exasperated and … soldier”.
- a) Unidentified
- b) Unrecognised
- c) Undistinguished
- d) Unknown
- e) All of the above
If you call them Undistinguished, though, you are on your own
Back to Decca recording company.
Did you know that the company signed a 12-album contract with Fela but in an attempt to strangle him financially, the Nigerian Army persuaded Moshood Abiola, the largest shareholder of the company, to fire the English director, John Boot? His replacement, Mr. Orgus unilaterally cancelled the company’s contract with Fela.
Still on Decca, are you aware that Fela and his entourage took over and squatted for 78 days in the company’s headquarters in Lagos? He was forced to leave the premises as a result of his invitation to perform at the Berlin Jazz Festival.
While in Germany, did you know that the Nigerian Army took the opportunity to destroy the ruins of his burnt house, where he had placed a coffin on the balcony as a sign of protest and a banner with the words boldly written: “This is the spot where justice was murdered”?
KALAKUTA: Republic, KALA-KUSA: …
Kala-Kusa was Kalakuta’s little wooden cell in Fela’s republic.
It was a symbolic cell locked with string and if you don’t do your penance in it, you have to quit the Kalakuta altogether.
So, did you know that as a band, the Koola Lobitos was transformed during Fela’s harrowing tour of the United States from June 1969 to March 1970?
Could you ever imagine that Fela started with only one female dancer?
It’s hard to but Dele, Fela’s first dancer, danced solo for the band for many years. But all that changed in 1978, when the King of Afrobeat married 27 women in one traditional ceremony.
Actually, the ceremony began with 22 brides lining up in front of the oracle in order of seniority. Five more joined the group before the ceremony ended, suggesting either last minute jitters or uncertainty! or both.
But did you know that when no Ifa priest in Lagos agreed to officiate at the February 20 mass wedding, Fela imported Chief Yesufu Olaleye from Ekon, Ekiti division, in Ondo State?
Sadly, though, the mass marriage lasted until 1984 when Fela emerged from a jail stint on trumped-up currency charges amid rumours that some of his wives had adopted Fela’s inclusionary sexual ideas for themselves! What a man can do a woman can…
And lastly, did you know that Fela “died” before his actual death?
On July 14, 1987, Fela was rumoured dead arising from an AIDS-related illness?
Ten years later, it was no longer a rumour!
