Fela Kuti Postcard

Description

Fela Kuti Postcard

Gouache and linoprint on paper.
Format A6, 250g/m2.
Open edition, signed and numbered.
Carved and printed by hand with love and respect.

Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938-1997) was a Nigerian musician, composer, and pioneer of the Afrobeat genre. Born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Fela studied music in London, where he was exposed to jazz and highlife music. This diverse musical background influenced his creation of Afrobeat, a unique blend of traditional African rhythms with jazz, funk, highlife, and other contemporary styles.

Fela was not just a musician but a cultural and political revolutionary. His lyrics, often delivered in Pidgin English to reach a broader African audience, addressed critical social and political issues, including government corruption, human rights abuses, and the struggles of ordinary Africans. His music became a voice for the oppressed and a powerful tool for activism.

In the 1970s, Fela founded the Kalakuta Republic, a commune, recording studio, and home for his band members and followers, which he declared independent from the Nigerian state. He also established the Afrika Shrine, a nightclub where he performed regularly and shared his political messages.

Fela’s outspoken criticism of Nigeria’s military regimes led to multiple arrests, beatings, and the destruction of his commune in a brutal military raid in 1977. Despite the government’s efforts to silence him, Fela remained undeterred, continuing to produce music and speak out against injustice.

His influence extended beyond Nigeria, inspiring a global audience and generations of musicians. Fela’s life and work have been celebrated in various forms, including the Broadway musical “Fela!” which highlights his contributions to music and activism.

Fela Kuti’s legacy endures through his extensive discography, his role in shaping Afrobeat, and his unwavering commitment to social justice. His music continues to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide, affirming his status as a cultural icon and a champion for the oppressed.