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What does it mean that Fela Kuti played the "horn" (which is listed in the list of instruments he played)? The french horn? I've never heard that he played that instrument or ever featured it in his band. If the original writer meant trumpet (which he did play in addition to sax), better to use that actual instrument name. Badagnani 06:47, 17 July 2005 (UTC)

From what I've heard of Fela's re-released music and from the surviving documentation that is available in the US, Fela played several different horns. Here is a photo of Fela in his younger Koola Lobitos days blowing trumpet: Image:Http://biochem.chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~endo/vogue-02.jpg

Source:Unseen Vogue: Evening Looks and All That Jazz' (1961). Photographed by Brian Duffy and printed by The Art Group Limited, London.

An early Koola Lobitos album cover features a trumpet in the mouth of a effigy which I assume is an abstraction of Fela, again linking him to that instrument. [1]

Yet another Koola Lobitos album featuring Die Die, and Kusimiyala states ".. Fela's customary instrument is the trumpet (did you ever douby it?) but he is also a swinging pianist and a rare vocalist. He is also a composer and arranger. A Musicians' Musician in fact." E.M.I. Nigeria Limited.

I am not sure why or when Fela evolved to the sax but his later music is characterized by wonderful alto work, and some of his most soulful horn work in my oppinion can be heard on ODOO and Beast of No Nations. Some of the Egypt 80 recording sound like Soprano Sax such as ODOO and Beast of No Nations.

Some of Fela's keyboard work is gives me the impression of Thelonious Monk. As it is not characterized by manual dexterity or celerity but the overal tonal quality is something very magicals. Fela's horn playing reminds me of keyboards, and his keyboard compositions often remind me of compositions that would work well with a brass section.

We should also remember that the oldest horns extant horns come from the Tomb of King Tut-Ankh-Amen. The Egyptian horn might also be a descantant of the horns played in Southern Sudan which might have also been played in the Western Sudan/Saharan region which in ancient times included nothern Nigeria. All of this beautiful horn work is definately an old African thing! [2]

There is also a video recording distributed by Sanachie Records which shows Fela beating traditional drums with stick.

I have been trying to get information on Fela's usage or misusage of drugs. I have several conflicting reports. Articles from the Lagos Sun quote Fela as advocating "cocaine smoking" while other reports and eye-witness stories indicate that Fela did not tolerate drug taking. There is also quite a large selection of photos of Fela smoking Grass. Fela did not did not consider Grass/Marijuana a drug. But I am curious what other substances were taboo in Nigerian culture during Fela's lifetime and his tolerance or intolerance towards their usage.

Also, I would like to know if anyone knows about "Gorro(sp?)" Fela's special medicine.

__________________________________________________________________

GORO - from "FELA: King of the Invisible Art" by Jay Babcock

"He cooked a bag of grass about [two feet long], which cost just two pennies for like two weeks, soaking it with spices, honey and oils. cooked it right, right, right down til it was THICK," says Fela's son Femi. "Very thick! All that came out was about [an amount that would fit in a small coffee cup]. You're only allowed to take about a spoon, and then, in maybe two or three hours, you are just so high, it's unbelievable. It lasts the whole day, two days, three days. Fela trained a couple of people to cook it, and for six years, man, I was the only one who had authorization (except for him), to serve it round the house, to give it to anybody who wants it."

Michael Veal's excellent biography of Fela also references the drug: "Fela's European performances were sometimes listless, a development that some attributed to his heavy use of a blend of liquified THC extract and native Nigerian ogogoro gin which he [Fela] called 'Felagoro'."

[edit] Religion

Fela was very critical of Western religions, especially Christianity and Islam. He viewed the practice of these religions by Africans as part of the greater disease afflicting Africa, that of self-hatred (think Franz Fanon's Black Skin, White Mask). In the DVD The Music is the Weapon, he says something to the effect that Christianity is the white man's way of thinking and Islam is the Arab's way, and neither are compatible with traditional African thought. His religion is part of the reason he was so dangerous to the establishment--his political views were bolstered by traditional spiritual values. His performances often took on the air of ceremony, and it seems these were conscious attempts to revive traditional Yoruba beliefs such as ancestor veneration. After his mother's death, she was incorporated into his pantheon as a goddess (I believe it was the goddess of wind, but I don't recall). Some note ought to be made about his spiritual/religious beliefs, and the way they related to his music and politics.--Rockero 19:44, 14 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Support for socialist regimes?

What was Kuti's position towards Marxist dictatorships that outwardly professed respect for human rights but did not practice such rights in reality? Just curious, I'm not accusing him of anything.

[edit] Fela's not Quite Himself around Here

The article on Fela Kuti, as it stands on wikipedia, is a rather rosy portrait of a man whose biography is complex and littered with moments of amoral, or at least morally ambiguous, sentiments and behaviours. Now, I understand when supplying information on this ambitious project objectivity is of the utmost importance. However, one must acknowledge the very widespread opinion that Fela was an extreme sexist. This should probably not just be mentioned in passing as in the present article - it should have an entire section devoted to it, where the views of a great number of people are represented. Also, since his politics and philosophies played a big part in creating Fela's iconic image, it is absolutely imperative that this article also portray the feelings of many people who are greatly offended by Fela's personal life.

Now, I am certainly not an expert on Fela, and I've failed in an attempt to find academic articles on the subject online. More extensive research is possible for me, but I feel like I shouldn't be the only one trying to raise the academic standard of this article. I ask that you all help me bring this article up to grade. Sexism and the subjugation of women is a highly relevant issue today - not an historical eccentricity that can be glossed over. This article is not just about Afro-beat - it is about a figure who has hurt a lot of people with his sentiments and views, while generating pride in the hearts of others. For most of us, I'm sure, it's a whirlwind mixture of the two.

[edit] Feminism and Traditional Culture

If the article is to include the fact that Fela Kuti was a sexist, I think it's equally valid that the following is explained: Fela Kuti obviously opposed Western imeperialism in Africa. The idea of feminism itself could be easily seen in certain traditional cultures (among males and females) as an imperialist ideology.

Also how can Fela be considered a sexist and at the same time loved and respected so much his mother while she is considered a feminist and even lived in his commune. -G —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.91.206.221 (talk) 08:38, 18 December 2006 (UTC).

[edit] Socialism?

The article says that Fela supported or was politically socialist? There is no reference to this. I believe it to be untrue.

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