Fela Kuti: From the Shrine to the Recording Academy

Prolific, innovative, and finally, undeniably global. 

The Evolution of the Sound

To see how Fela’s seeds have bloomed, look no further than Simi’s recent tribute. Her cover of "Lady"—performed as part of the celebrations surrounding this year's Grammy win—is more than just a remake. It’s a bridge.
While Fela’s original "Lady" was a sharp, rhythmic commentary on the shifting social roles of African women in the 70s, Simi brings a 21st-century perspective to the groove. It’s a reminder that while the "prejudices" of the world change, the core "truth" of the music remains indestructible.

When we last reflected on the legacy of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in 2018, we spoke of a cultural icon built into an industry of "epic proportions." But even then, the story felt like a localized truth—a treasure belonging to those who had once braved the electric, often dangerous atmosphere of the Afrika Shrine. 

Fast forward to today: The world has officially caught up. With Fela Kuti’s recent Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the "Black President" has been formally etched into the pantheon of global music history. 

It is a fascinating shift. For decades, Fela’s truth was often disregarded because it didn't align with the "prejudices" of the polite society or the global West. He was a man of the people, a comedian of the yabis sessions, and a revolutionary who used "Monkey Banana" to peel back the layers of social hypocrisy. 

The Full Circle Moment 

The Fela story has always been layered in myth and legend, but the Grammy recognition brings a new dimension to his "primal identity." 

As Lao Tzu famously said, (a quote we keep close whenever a Fela matter comes up): 

"Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know... This is primal identity. Be like the Tao. It can't be approached or withdrawn from, benefited or harmed, honoured or brought into disgrace." 

In many ways, Fela lived the Tao. He remained unmoved by the establishment for decades, and yet, by giving of himself continually, his legacy endured until the establishment had no choice but to honor him. 

A Salute to the Day-Ones 

While the Grammy marks a milestone for the "Fela Industry," this update remains, in part, a tribute to those fans from "back in the day." 

Before the glittering awards and the international Broadway shows, there were the musicians, the hangers-on, and the defiant fans who risked everything to stand in the smoke and the sound of the Afrika 70. They saw the best and worst of humanity alongside Fela. They held the truth when the rest of society was ready to throw it away. 

Whether or not the Grammy validates what you already knew, your tenacity—and Fela’s—has paid off. The music of "Sense Wiseness" isn't just a relic of the past; it is now the heartbeat of a global movement.

 

To those who were there at the beginning: we salute you. Your sacrifice helped build the stage upon which Fela now stands as a Lifetime Achievement winner.

#Bodederek