Fela Kuti

Fela Kuti was a world-renowned musician and activist, still celebrated today. Having been sent to London by his parents to study medicine, he decided to study music instead. In the 1960s, he formed his band, Koola Lobitos, together they pioneered a style of music that we would come to know as Afrobeat.

Whilst touring the United States in 1969, he discovered the Black Power movement, which was to heavily influence his music, with his songs becoming increasingly concerned with social and political issues. His work constantly challenged the colonial rule in Nigeria and the mistreatment of the citizens by corrupt government officials.

Throughout his life, he was always politically outspoken and courted controversy, but his style of Afrobeat has left a major lasting legacy and it continues to influence musicians and producers to this very day. Fela Kuti was more than a musician; he was a revolutionist.