The legendary and often controversial godfather of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti was born today, 83 years ago. Although we tragically lost Fela 24 years ago from AIDS, his influence on contemporary global music has grown exponentially: acts across the world have created their own culturally specific take on the music Kuti created over 50 years ago.
Kuti was a dynamic and electric stage presence, as you’ll see in this live footage shot at Berliner Jazztage, Berlin in 1978. Happy birthday, to the first Black President, Fela Kuti. Happy birthday, wherever you are!
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