Born on Saturday, died on Saturday, Fela still lives.... in our hearts

Fela as a Young Man

I was about Twelve years old when I woke up to hear that the man that sang one of my favorite songs " I no be gentle man at all" was No more. Fela Anikulapo kuti (formerly Ransome Kuti) was one of the best Nigeria and indeed Africa has ever produced. Born on Saturday the 15th of October 1938 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, to parents who were political activists. His mother was a feminist and anti-colonialist, and his father was active in the Nigerian teachers' union. a coincidence that he died the same day he was born. "Saturday".

Fela during his life time differentiated that he was different and fought any form of oppression meted out to Nigerians by the government. He used his songs to pass the message across and was always incarcerated by the then ruling Government in the seventies... the military.

Mrs Funmilayo Ransome kuti

He set a record of marrying 27 women (all his singers) on the same day! and then his home known as the kalakuta republic where he used to entertain and also address the ills in the society. Fela also loved his marijuana which he smoked freely.
 And the good thing is that two of his sons  Femi and Seun are prodigy's of their father with Femi (who clocked 50 this year) is nominated once again for the Grammy.
The government in his honor will turn the house which stays on Gbemisola street in ikeja which he built to be converted into a Museum after renovations which they project to conclude in four months ( October 2012)

15 years after, Nigeria and indeed the world still remembers you, your songs, ever green a pity some of the things you still complained about are still happening.... I remember you... RIP Fela...

Fela and his 27 wives

Fela's house

shakara an album

fela, femi and seun

yemi kuti

Sources: fela.net,simplysamad. blogspot.com