Legendary artist Fela Kuti has been nominated posthumously for the second consecutive year for the coveted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is one of 17 musical acts on this year’s eclectic ballot.
He has been eligible for this prestigious nomination since 1996. He is the pioneer of Afro-Beat. His innovative music, revolutionary messages, and generational impact continue to represent the indomitable and evolving spirit of rock and roll.
Even 24.5 years after his death, his music and influence are as relevant and significant as ever. He served as a major early music influence for countless artists and bands, and he helped mold the musical landscape into what it is today.
He was born Olufela Olusegun Oludoton Ransome Kuti in 1938 into a politically active and musical Nigerian family.
Kuti was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and a trailblazer of the Afro-beat genre. He was able to fuse music and politics to become a singular global revolutionary voice.
In 1961, while he was studying music in London, he formed his first band, Koola Lobitos, and subsequently became a fixture in the London club scene. He later toured America, where he was influenced by R&B/soul and funk legends James Brown and Sly Stone.
Kuti was a true musical architect who was able to blend elements of traditional West African highlife, jazz, and soul music and declared this rhythmic hybrid as Afro-beat.
To learn more about the music and legacy of Fela Kuti, follow him on Twitter and check out his official website and Facebook page.
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