DJ Ify
April 2004 - Fela Kuti, Ringo Madlingozi and Majek Fashek
From Fela Kuti to Fela Anikulapo Kuti
Fela Ramsome Kuti was born in Abeokuta, in the western part of Nigeria on October 15, 1938. Kuti was strongly influenced by both parents: his mother, Funmilayo, was a leading figure in the struggles against colonialism and for women's rights; his father, Rev. Daudu was principal of Abeokuta Grammar School and one of the founders of Higher Education in Nigeria. His grandfather Rev. Canon Josiah was the first African to record in Europe, recording some religious songs for EMI in the 1920s. In 1958, Fela enrolled at Trinity College of Music, here in London, where he spent his time studying trumpet, composition and theory, and developing his first highlife-meets-jazz band Koola Lobitos.
After he returned to Lagos in 1964, his career as bandleader, multi instrumentalist, singer and composer slowly took off and by the early seventies, with his drummer Tony Allen and his Africa 70 band, he had created Afrobeat. This potent fusion of funk and jazz from the USA , with Highlife and Yoruba rhythmsn and call and response vocals in Pidgin and Yoruba had the most effective and powerful political lyrics ever heard. He was concerned about world injustice, corruption, human rights, and abuse of power, which was very common in Africa . He fought for those causes with his music and was ready to lay down his life for them. He was like a very outspoken mouth-piece for the masses who have no voice. The people loved him for this and his courage, and his music was lifeblood to a lot of people.
In Nigeria, his countless criticisms of the Governments' ills, landed him in trouble with the Government on several occasions. He was harassed, arrested, imprisoned, beaten and music was often banned and his royalties withheld.
Worst of all, in 1977 the government sent more than five hundred soldiers, to his compound know as the ‘Kalakuta Republic’. The house was burnt down, his followers beaten up, his 'Queens' viciously raped, his brother seriously injured and his mother thrown from a window to the ground below. She subsequently died from the injuries sustained during the incident.
Each time Fela Kuti was arrested and imprisoned, he always bounced back with a vengeance and stronger music than ever. He even changed his name to Fela 'Anikulapo' Kuti, - he who has death in his pocket. Incredibly he made over 50 albums of music, and his spirit shows in titles like VIP-Vagabonds in Power, Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense and ITT - International Thief Thief. His dynamic voice boosted the Afrobeat storm he created and he could play almost every instrument from Keyboards to drum. He played the sax as if he introduced it to the world.
Other 'Fela facts' include: his simultaneous marriage to his 27 'Queens' in a traditional ceremony in 1978, his later simultaneous divorce of them all in 1986, his love of marijuana, the political party he formed in Nigeria - MOP (Movement of the People) - and his constant battle with the Nigerian authorities: he appeared in court 356 times and was imprisoned 3 times.
Fela died on Saturday, the 2nd of August 1997 at 4pm in Lagos, Nigeria. His funeral clearly showed that he was the man of the people. Regardless of tribe, race, gender and age, hundreds of thousands of people gathered at Tafawa Balewa Square to pay their last Respects. People queued endlessly to file pass his coffin. A crowd of more than a million Lagosians watched the final journey of his coffin from Lagos Island to Ikeja. He was finally laid to rest in front of his House, Kalakuta, on the morning of Tuesday 12 August, 1997.
Fela reigned supreme. Fela Kuti was to me the greatest African artist of our time. And now his son ‘Femi’ has taken the mantle from where his great father stopped. Wishing him the best.
Ringo Madlingozi, Best Southern African Artist
About three years ago a friend of mine from South Africa introduced me to a wonderful artist Ringo Madlingozi. Ringo was born in Cape Town, South Africa In 1964. One of the best and strongest of South Africa's live performing acts, he has worked with high-profile artists like Hugh Masekela, Teddy Pendergrass, Papa Wemba, Caiphus Semenya, Simply Red and UB40. He also contributed to the success of the movie 'The Lion King' with his music.
While still at school, Ringo led an a capella group that performed at community functions, and his music is rooted in traditional Xhosa sounds. He was the lead Vocalist for the bands Ikwezi and Peto. In 1986, Peto won the Shell Road to Fame talent competition, giving them national exposure on television and leading to several tours including a support act for the King's Trust concert In Swaziland headlined by Eric Clapton. Peto disbanded later and Ringo joined Gecko Moon.
In 1996, Ringo finally went solo - and the rest is becoming history. His releases include Vukani (‘Wake Up’), Ntumba, Mamelani and Sondelani (‘Get Closer’), which went double platinum (100 000 units), making a milestone in Ringo's career.
In 1998 Ringo Madlingozi conquered the local music industry when he won Best Southern African artist and Best Male Artist categories at the annual Kora All-Africa music awards. Have a listen to his captivating songs, unique blend of contemporary and traditional rhythms and beautifully distinctive voice.
Majek Fashek, the Nigerian Rainmaker
When I was a radio DJ in Nigeria I discovered Majek Fashek in the station record library and fell in love with his music. Since then I’ve made sure to see him live, and followed his music videos on TV. His style is reggae fusion with a Nigerian flavour.
Fashek is one of the increasing number of African artists to be drawn to the music of the Caribbean , specifically reggae. In Majek's music, one can hear influences by greats like Bob Marley, Fela Kuti and Jimi Hendrix along with highlife and juju, as he meshes numerous styles to form his own unique sound.
Born in Benin City, once the center of the ancient Sini kingdom, Majek Fashek (born: Majekodunmi Fasheke) inherited his love of music from his mother, an Edo woman who raised him following the death of his father when he was eleven years old. She inspired him through her participation in traditional religious ceremonies where the Olokun rhythms were used to accompany worship of the river goddess. As a youngster, Fashek played maracas during the ceremonies.
After playing with the 'Mandators' he later formed his first band, Jah Stix. They played almost everywhere, at universities, Lagos nightclubs and even prisons.
He became popularly known as the 'Rainmaker' in Nigeria, a name he earned in 1987 when his self-penned tune 'Send Down The Rain' seemed to coax a rain storm that ended one of the worst draughts in Nigeria's history.
Labled a 'Prophet' and showered with no less than six awards at The annual PMAN ceremony, he was signed to CBS Nigeria in 1988, and then to Island records' subsidiary Mango, a label more accustomed to marketing reggae internationally. His first album for the company included a cover version of Marley's ‘Redemption Song’, which saw him begin to rival Alpha Blondy as Africa's foremost reggae star. That debut solo album, Prisoners of Conscience, released in 1990, sold more than 200,000 copies in Nigeria alone.
On Rainmaker, released in 1997 on Tuff Gong International, Majek pushed the music to its fullest potential, fusing reggae, rock afrobeat, Juju, Kpangolo and Olokun rhythms into an album so powerful that it will 'bring down the holy spirit.' He masterfully combines so many types of music because as he says, 'when the styles are blended together, music can free the world.' The album also delivers the forceful criticism of social and political issues associated with Majek - 'it's a war and we are fighting a battle.'
Check out these artists if you don’t know them already and post your comments . Or feel free to suggest artists you’d like to know more about or see featured here. And if you can make it to any of the events below you are more than welcome.
DJ Ify
DJ Ify's Recommended CDs
Fela Kuti - The Best of the Black President
Ringo Madlingozi, - Sondelani
Majek Fashek - Prisoner of Conscience
Check out my recommended CDs this month in the CD Reviews section or go to Music Search to look at our archive of recommended CDs.