Today in Nigeria/Africa’s History (August 2, 1997 *19 years ago*)

The Passage of Fela Anikulapo Kuti

Fela was Born in ‪#‎Abeokuta‬, ‪#‎Nigeria‬ in 1938, ‪#‎Kuti‬ was a remarkable multi-instrumentalist, musician, composer, human rights and fiery political activist. He started his musical studies in 1958 in London and later formed a band called Koola Lobitos. In 1963,



 Fela moved back to #Nigeria, where he reformed his band before moving to Ghana in 1967, to reflect on his musical direction. Kuti pioneered the ‪#‎Afrobeat‬ music genre, by mixing soul, jazz and traditional African rhythms, his gift to Africa and indeed the world. He toured the world with his group. Kuti was a fierce human rights and political activist who dedicated his life to fighting inequality, injustice, and cultural imperialism through his music. A fervent proponent of Pan Africanism, Kuti yearned for an equal, peaceful, democratic and united country and continent. One of his best known songs Zombie, is an example of Kuti

Fela Kuti died of AIDS-related complications on August 2, 1997, at the age of 58, in Lagos, Nigeria. Roughly 1 million people attended his funeral procession, which began at Tafawa Balewa Square and ended at Kuti's home, Kalakuta, in Ikeja, Nigeria, where he was laid to rest in the front yard
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