Before the concept of "world music" existed, Fela Kuti created the new genre of afrobeat through elements of jazz, latin music and the sounds of his native Nigeria. The music was revolutionary in both senses of the word: the songs were usually over 10 minutes (over 25 minutes is not uncommon), played by a band of as many as 80 people. They also often focused on matters that were politically (ahem) "sensitive" - and under the authoritarian Nigerian government of the day, these were not few. His son Femi serves as the standard bearer for afrobeat these days - think all the Marley children rolled into one - but there are other excellent bands doing afrobeat things. Of particular note is Antibalas, out of NY, featuring African, Latin American and North American members.
This is a 5 minute edit done by somebody who was trying to get him out of jail in 1985; he died in 1997.
Fela Kuti - "Army Arrangement"
Tomorrow: Sister Nancy is a lady, not a man!
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