Group
Africa 70
- From
- Nigeria
- Active
- 1970
- Rating
- ★ 5
- Releases
- 63
- afrobeat
About
Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì ( FEH-lə KOO-tee; Yoruba: [fɛ̄lá āníkúlák͡pó kútì] ; born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997) was a Nigerian musician and political activist. He is regarded as the principal innovator of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers". AllMusic described him as "a musical and sociopolitical voice" of international significance.
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Kuti was the son of Nigerian women's rights activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. After early experiences abroad, he and his band Africa '70 (featuring drummer and musical director Tony Allen) shot to stardom in Nigeria during the 1970s, during which Kuti was an outspoken critic and target of Nigeria's military juntas. In 1970, he founded the Kalakuta Republic commune, which declared itself independent from military rule. The commune was destroyed in a 1977 army raid that injured Kuti and killed his mother. He was jailed by the government of Muhammadu Buhari in 1984, but released after 20 months. Kuti continued to record and perform through the 1980s and 1990s. Since his death in 1997, reissues and compilations of his music have been overseen by his son, Femi Kuti.
In 2026, Kuti was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early/musical influence category after two previous nominations. Fela Kuti influenced acts such as Talking Heads and Atoms for Peace.
Members
-
Tony Abayomi rhythm sticks
-
Tony Allen drums (drum set)
-
Peter Animashaun electric guitar
-
Maurice Ekpo electric bass guitar
-
Friday Jumbo congas
-
Henry Koffi congas
-
Akwesi Korranting congas
-
Lekan Animashaun baritone saxophone
-
Tunde Williams principal, trumpet
Discography
Albums
-
Open & Close
-
Why Black Man Dey Suffer
-
Na Poi
-
Shakara
-
Roforofo Fight
-
Afrodisiac
-
Gentleman
-
Alagbon Close
-
Confusion
-
Everything Scatter
-
Before I Jump Like Monkey Give Me Banana
-
He Miss Road
-
Noise for Vendor Mouth
-
Jealousy
-
Kalakuta Show
-
Zombie
-
Up Side Down
-
Excuse O
-
No Bread
-
Ikoyi Blindness
-
Yellow Fever
-
Progress
-
Sorrow Tears and Blood
-
Fear Not for Man
-
Opposite People
-
No Agreement
-
Stalemate
-
Shuffering and Shmiling
-
Unknown Soldier
-
No Accommodation for Lagos
-
International Thief Thief (I.T.T.)
-
Authority Stealing
-
Coffin for Head of State
-
I Go Shout Plenty!!!
-
Mr. Bigmouth / Low Profile
Singles
Compilations
-
Alagbon Close / Why Black Man Dey Suffer
-
J.J.D. / Unnecessary Begging
-
Open & Close / Afrodisiac
-
Everything Scatter / Noise for Vendor Mouth
-
Confusion / Gentleman
-
No Accommodation for Lagos / No Discrimination
-
Jealousy / Progress
-
Yellow Fever / Na Poi
-
Shuffering and Shmiling / No Agreement
-
Expensive Shit / He Miss Road
-
Opposite People / Sorrow Tears and Blood
-
Don't Gag Me
-
Na Poi / Zombie
-
Open & Close/He Miss Road
-
Shakara / Confusion
-
Funkiest Grooves Vol. 2
-
Alagbon Close / Kalakuta Show
-
Shuffering and Shmiling / Perambulator
Links
Artist rename
Founder
Also known as
Fela Anikulapo Kuti & Afrika 70 · Fela Kuti & Africa '70 · Fela Kuti & Afrika 70 · Fela Ransome Kuti & Africa 70 · Fela Ransome Kuti & the Africa '70 · Fela Ransome-Kuti and Africa '70
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- dc45f2dc-ef36-4a7a-aa52-97495fca8ced
- ISNI
- 0000000123375292
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 11 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.