Fela Ransom Kuti 
My main purpose in this paper is to educate my audience about a man who single handedly divided a country through a uniquely invented genre with lyrics that moved the hearts of its listeners, how he was left with long-lasting physical scars through the process of defending his cause, how he was thrown in jail 200 times, and also how he used women without the slightest bit of sympathy.
With nothing but a Saxophone, a pair of white briefs and artistic markings on his face, Fela
Anikolapo Kuti’s music brought chills on those who listened. There was something about the way he orchestrated his chords with a little bit of jazz, funky horns and blues that made people classify his music fit for the gods…So alluring. Everything about this man was an outburst of never ending creativity. The type some said boarded over the psychotic. But the real deal in his masterpieces wasn’t just the melody but the lyrics that flowed between them. Fela wrote music that made people think and point fingers at the Nigerian government, and he did that using music as his medium.
Fela Ransom kuti, born October 15th 1938 to middle class Christian parents but died the day he changed his middle from Ransom to Anikolapo meaning “The man who carries death in his pouch”. In the 1960’s felas political consciousness ignited after a trip to the united states where he was exposed to the black power movement with the likes of Malcolm X, the black panthers and many others. He came back home with the intention of changing the Nigerian political system using music as his medium (The Black President). In his documentary “Music Is the
Weapon” Fela sits down to explain his songs. He begins with ITT which stands for International
Thief Thief.
“Start start them confusion, Start start them oppression, Start start to steal money, Start start to
Steal money, Like Obasanjo and Abiola, International Thief Thief! I.T.T., International rogue,
International thief" (Kuti). He leaves no room for confusion about whom he was
With nothing but a Saxophone, a pair of white briefs and artistic markings on his face, Fela
Anikolapo Kuti’s music brought chills on those who listened. There was something about the way he orchestrated his chords with a little bit of jazz, funky horns and blues that made people classify his music fit for the gods…So alluring. Everything about this man was an outburst of never ending creativity. The type some said boarded over the psychotic. But the real deal in his masterpieces wasn’t just the melody but the lyrics that flowed between them. Fela wrote music that made people think and point fingers at the Nigerian government, and he did that using music as his medium.
Fela Ransom kuti, born October 15th 1938 to middle class Christian parents but died the day he changed his middle from Ransom to Anikolapo meaning “The man who carries death in his pouch”. In the 1960’s felas political consciousness ignited after a trip to the united states where he was exposed to the black power movement with the likes of Malcolm X, the black panthers and many others. He came back home with the intention of changing the Nigerian political system using music as his medium (The Black President). In his documentary “Music Is the
Weapon” Fela sits down to explain his songs. He begins with ITT which stands for International
Thief Thief.
“Start start them confusion, Start start them oppression, Start start to steal money, Start start to
Steal money, Like Obasanjo and Abiola, International Thief Thief! I.T.T., International rogue,
International thief" (Kuti). He leaves no room for confusion about whom he was