World Meet Fela Kuti

Fela was returning from the [United] States circa the Black Nationalist movement back to his native, Nigeria, with his band the "Nigeria 70." It was a promoter that dimed him and his band out; citing the fact that they were in the US without proper documentation that sent him back prematurely. Upon returning to Nigeria, Fela did two things. He renamed his band the "Africa 70" and erected the Kalakuta Republic, a recording studio and a commune for the band. It was Fela Kuti's independent state in the heart of the motherland. His enterprise continued with the emergence of two clubs: the Afro-Spot & the Shrine. The popularity of Fela and his music in Africa as well as his growing political awareness rose simultaneously. This put him in direct opposition with the ruling faction who terrorized the Kalakuta Republic with suspect search warrants and unwarranted intrusions. Fearful of Fela's growing popularity, the government intended to incriminate him by planting a joint of cannabis on his person or in the premises. He discovered the plot and ate the joint. Police responded by taking him in custody and waited until he moved his bowels to examine his excrement. Fela was able to secure the feces of another inmate/supporter and with no evidence of Fela being guilty, the government freed him. The result of this whole ordeal was "Expensive Sh*%," a track describing the whole story.

Most tracks don't have such colorful anecdotes behind them, but we're dealing with an extraordinary character. Fela was the creator of Afrobeat (a fusion between jazz and West African highlife), a fervent human rights activist, multi-instrument musician, composer and "political maverick." My words don't do justice to this man's legacy. Read about him here. Check out Expensive Sh&% and He Miss Road below.

Fela Kuti-Expensive Sh@! & He Miss Road