Im a 23 year old Armenian from Virginia Usa and this music touches me down to my ancestral spirits. It brings me away from the southern hillbilly society that i feel i dont belong to and reconnects me with my heavily cultured roots and energies. The world is a happy place which, despite all our pain, is abundant with life.
Nigeria a country with over 500 languages,with over 350 different ethnic groups,with more than 280 million people !!! I really think that this Country will suffer forever !!!!
Nigeria has been ranked one of the least peaceful countries in the world, ranking 144 out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index report as of December 2023. Nigeria had a 2.713 score just behind the warring Israel.19.04.2024
I have a fond memory of a time I spent in Sweden back in 2005. I had run out of money one night before my flight back to England, forcing me to spend a night on the streets of Stockholm in -15 degs c weather. Part of the reason I had run out of money is that several days before I had bought two Fela CD's to play on my cdman. At first I tried to stay inside the expansive building of T Centralen where my train the next afternoon would take me to the airport. However at 11pm I and many others, travelers and legit homeless were pushed out into the snow by Police. Closed till morning. The homeless people left the area quickly leaving just a young African man and myself wondering what to do. We struck up a conversation in regards to our situation. I was in inadequate clothing for the weather and he in a worse situation. He had only that afternoon arrived at the airport from Nigeria to stay with his cousin. From the airport he rang his cousin to be told. 'Get a train into the city and I'll meet you in the morning.' So here he was in a tracksuit and trainers fresh from the heat of another continent and the prospect of spending the night on the frozen streets. We decided to move out of the wind and did so as best we could. In the lea I produced my cdman and showed him the CD's I had. He was delighted to find Fela among my selection. We then spent the next four hours dancing to keep warm sharing an earbud each, connected awkwardly by the wire. He tried to teach me how to do some Afrobeat steps and together we passed the hours until a bus station across the road open at around 4am. Inside the warmth we drank coffee and chatted more until around 6am I went to wait for my train to the airport and he went off to meet up with his cousin. I have forgotten his name at this point. Yet I think I shall always remember till my dying day the cold, cold night I danced to Fela's wonderful Afrobeat to stay warm with the Nigerian stranger who may have been one of the nicest people I ever met. :)
One of those rare encounters that leaves life’s indelible mark. Expatiate on this interesting encounter with before and after short story… it makes for good reading.
I was playing in James Brown's Band and I thought we were the Funkiest band on Earth. The we went to Lagos, at the Shrine, to listen to Fela and Afrika 70 and I discovered we were wrong. The Funkiest band on Earth that was them. Bootsy Collins.
I just discovered Fela Kuti's music last night and here I am now with a growing interest in Nigeria's cultural and social issues. Greetings from Mexico to everybody!
I had the pleasure/privilege of playing drums at a impromptu fela gig. Its the highlight of my musical career, I felt like i was in a trance after 5 mins playing. Amazing, like being hypnotized.
What Fela said in this song decades ago is what Nigerians are just waking up to in 2017. My mum back then as kid even told not to listen him anymore because he was evil for speaking against the exploitations of the religious leaders, few weeks ago she called me to stop paying tithes to greedy pastors. Funny isn't it
Fela Kuti and Bob Marley. Two greats who led the masses through their message in music who were intentionally and systematically silenced. And their legacy still lives on. We're still listening. July 2019.
Bob died of cancer. His rasta beliefs made him reject conventional medical treatment. A tragedy indeed, but hardly intentional silencing. The prophets may be gone, but their messages live on through the music.
@@ShanghaiRooster pop culture stripped him of his political message though, at least in the eyes of the general public. It's been sedated been made less dangerous in most hands but not all, some hands listen.
@@lynazidane6697Sometimes his politics were shallow though too. “Buffalo Soldier” doesn’t really recognize the plight of Indigenous people. At best, it’s maybe a bit regretful but in terms of how black soldiers were treated and forced yo fight.
I'm a Christian now, recently gave my life to Christ a few years back and it's the best thing I've ever done, however for me no music compares to Fela n I do agree with a lot of his logic jus that now I'm in Christ I have deeper understanding of the world. However musically, I don't think I can ever stop listening to this music and I just take it like if something like this can come from the Earth then one must wonder how great our God is!
Spnd you time to you malt more than you work to get salery and use you intertament..enjoy, no Body can say anything or condam you..malt all days keep quait watch you and back side who the mother fuker
This was Fela's commentary on theocracy and religious politicians in Nigeria. In this song he criticizes the Muslim and Christian elites in Nigeria for telling people to accept poverty and suffering because they will supposedly be rewarded in an "afterlife". This would make a great anti-Boko Haram anthem as they demand people give up everything good in life for fundamentalist Islam.
Sending love, protection, healing and the power of the Most High and the mighty ancestors to my people in Nigeria 🇳🇬 ...Nigerian Live Matter Too!! End SARS
I have to cry listening to this genius, prophet and hero. Never ending goose bumps since I listen to this music, and that is more than 30 years already.
The synergy between Tony Allen and Fela was electric man. The business side of the relationship is another story but musically, they were equals. Two incomparable geniuses in the history of popular African music.
The synergy is electric and Tony Allen is a genius! But not equal to Fela Musically. No one is equal to Fela Anikulapo Kuti & He still remained the Most famous graduate from London Music School.
@@juanestadian8471You can’t possibly be serious. As a drummer Tony Allen was superior. What instrument could Tony Allen play that Fela couldn’t? Tony Allen couldn’t play saxophone. Fela is on par with Mozart and Beethoven as a composer.
@@westyraviz which is why i said max roach and ginger baker come close. I didn’t say they surpassed Tony Allen. Tony Allen is the greatest drummer in the history of popular music, bebop jazz included. But……there would be no Tony Allen if it wasn’t for two people, Max Roach and Art Blakey, who Allen says inspired him to play the drums
@@westyraviz fela surpasses Mozart as a composer. Mikes Davis surpasses Beethoven and Mozart as a composer. Because both were jazz musicians. Jazz extremely difficult to write and perform. It is not mindless improvisation as some people, casual listeners think. It is improvisation underrated by sketches of music.
I moved to Nigeria from USA to be with my Nigerian husband and learn more about my African/Nigerian ancestry & culture. Online I'd seen comments from Nigerians about the state of the nation on a recent post stating Nigeria was a happy place to live. Some comments said "suffering & smiling". I was later informed its a common saying based off this song, so here i am. This is my first time hearing Fela, and I love this music already. I'll be listening all weekend 💃🏾
Fela Kuti was certainly the originator of many expression in Nigerian Pidgin. He did not create the words, but he gave them different meaning. Even, the Pidgin of modern Afrobeat follows Fela Kuti's mocking pronunciation. Here are some Pidgin expressions Fela Kuti originated: Yellow Fever: - the disease of a black person who bleached their skin. Zombie: - (mostly military) people who mindlessly follow illegal orders. Johnny Just Drop: - a person who is new to an environment, subject, skill, or belief. Paddy-Paddy Government: - the practice among those with power or influence, of favouring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs and contracts. Lady: - A female who thinks she is too posh or high class. Scatter/Scatter: - Disorganization, disorder, disarray, like the mess Nigeria finds itself, politically and economically. Power Show: - Shameless and childish abuse of power You go hear am: - you will bear the worst part or full impact of a specified thing (There are so many expression, and they are now common Pidgin expression)
One of the greatest and most talented musicians to ever come out of Africa and maybe the best! His music lives one today. Everything he sang about 40 years ago are still happening today. All the billions of Naira missing in the 70s that Fela sang about in his music and got him in trouble with the Military and Civilian rulers are still occurring today!!!! Look at the rulers that Fela sang about and hated Fela for it: Gowon, Muritala, Obasanjo, Shagari, Yaradua, Buhari, Babangida, Abacha, Abiola, etc.............. What a legend. It is a pride to all Nigerians that this man came out of that country called Nigeria!!!
It’s still happening today even worst: budget padding, looters in the Panama Papers, electricity supply worse than ever before after privatization, Buhari’s asking Cameron to return stolen funds, individuals in the north owning oil blocks in the south... It's heart wrenching
Oh my GOD,i was too young to understand what the legend was fighting for but as I grew up ,i understand why he was & still the greatest prophet of our time,fela spent all his time fighting 4 emancipation of Africa ,equal rights , justice & Africa unity, NO comparable, may his soul rest in peace AMEN.
The Legend ,the Black president when you sang this song the notorious military and civilian turned to armed robbers called themselves politicians called hemp smokers
I often listen to the great Fela but when you listen to the musical arrangements then you appreciate the genius of the man. In 2022 his words still resonate meaning!
You can't compare fela and James . Both masters of their own music from different cultures both have in common struggle, poverty, African genes which made their music so great. They had something to say through song dance beat it aint no competition they inspired people which is how powerful music is and should be not a competition. One love unity
This all I gonna say since you cant get it both of them gene come from Africa no competition. End of it when Africans stop competition n come together then u get somewhere try both masters of their own music both have in common the same things one love unity
Abiyshag Shulamit Ysrayl You preach unity and exercise division. I agree Fela is one of a kind and owes nothing to the World, as does James. We only compete with our deficits of character.
ultimately james brown was influenced by the sounds of barrel house music and the black church. jimi hendrix acknowledged his musical influence came from the blues as that is really all jimi played, he was also influenced by little richards boogie woogie style. fela's music sound and groove is a mix of james brown, american jazz and native african juju music. i would add a little jamaican ska but ska was influenced by american rock n roll and motown. black american's gave more to fela than the world will ever realize by way of influences and it goes beyond the music. this i have personally heard him acknowledge only a few years before his death..
Fela Kuti was a visionary he was born with insight of the world conditions which became a reality until this day.Sorry for the younger generation who minds are gone forgetting who he is and what he stands for. Religion is still sucking the blood of the poor and uneducated instead of worshipping God they’re worshiping man, wake up Nigeria you can do better.
Fela, our greatest and fearless philosopher really told all the stories about how hopeless and wicked our so called leaders had been. Now he's gone ,what can we do to keep his spirit alive. I think he deserves a special place in our struggle and history. I will recommend him for a special national honor
Fela spoke for all the oppressed people of the world. He deserves more than a national award. He remains one of the most influential artists of all time. Let's start the campaign to keep his message alive! Am with you all the way.
I feel like a lot if not most music stems from an African source but black americans are american black people, black african people didnt create what we call Jazz. White americans aren't english, they're American. Jazz is the epitome of American music if not the blues. I get the social/cultural point you're making, but this is music history we're talkin, it aint a matter of taste or opinion.
Fela, totally refused to be boxed. His songs were soul/Afrobeat/funk symphonies that did not fit the 5 minute segments favored by music companies and record companies. This particular powerful political symphony is more topical today than when it was first released close to 40 years ago. Play it to the children often.
@@danielsmith1066 Yes, it is something that happens at different scales and not only in art. Studying the origin of the oppression of women and, of course, the way to go out of this inferno of exploitation and oppression engendered is the task of every human being.
Mind blown again, being listening to Fela's music all day. Not my language but I can understand the message, but OMG!!! the vibe, the horn, the drums, the composition leaves me absolutely speechless....again, mind blown!!! I'm sharing this with my folks
The music is not trying to force a melody into your head, it's just... there. This is what I love about trance music, it is not trying to grab your attention, but when it does, it still is interesting.
I love Fela and James Brown. If you know Fela history you would know that Fela himself said he was influenced by JB. However, Afrobeat is a genre all it's own. I wish they both were still here.
One of the positives that I can take out of lockdown is discovering Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango. I thought to myself yes this is great background music, however it becomes so absorbing that it completely takes over, job done. The kings are dead long live the kings!
To sing along You Africans, please listen to me as Africans And you non-Africans, listen to me with open mind Suffer, suffer, suffer, suffer, suffer Suffer for world Na your fault be that Me I say: na your fault be that I want you all to please take your minds Out of this musical contraption And put your minds into any goddamn church Any goddamn mosque Any goddamn Celestical Including Seraphoom and Cheruboom Now, we are all there now Our minds are in those places Here we go [Chorus] Amen! Suffer, suffer for world Enjoy for Heaven Christians go dey yab "In Spiritum Heavinus" Muslims go dey call "Allahu Akbar" Open you eye everywhere Archbishop na miliki Pope na enjoyment Imam na gbaladun [Chorus] Archbishop dey enjoy Pope self dey enjoy Imam self dey enjoy My brother wetin you say? My brother wetin you say? My sister wetin you go hear? My sister wetin you go hear? Archbishop dey for London Pope dey for Rome Imam dey for Mecca Archbishop dey for London Pope dey for Rome Imam dey for Mecca [Chorus] Amen! My people them go dey follow Bishop Them go follow Pope Them go follow Imam Them go go for London Them go go for Rome Them go go for Mecca Them go carry all the money Them go juba Bishop Juba Pope Juba Imam Then them go start to yab themselves: [Fela starts chanting in mock-Latin/Arabic] Every day, for house Every day, for road Every day, for bus Every day, for work My people, my people My people, my people We now have to carry our minds Out of those goddamn places Back into this musical contraption Right opposite you Now we are back here This is what happens to we Africans every day Now wetin I want tell you now Na secret o Na confidential matter Don't tell anybody outside Na between me and you Now listen As I dey say before E dey happen to all of us every day We Africans all over the world Now listen [Chorus] Suffering and smiling! Every day my people dey inside bus Every day my people dey inside bus Forty-nine sitting, ninety-nine standing Them go pack themselves in like sardine Them dey faint, them dey wake like cock Them go reach house, water no dey Them go reach bed, power no dey Them go reach road, go-slow go come Them go reach road, police go slap Them go reach road, army go whip Them go look pocket, money no dey Them go reach work, query ready Every day na the same thing Every day na the same thing Every day na the same thing Every day na the same thing Suffer, suffer for world... How many, many a many you go make? Many, many... How many, many a many you go make? Many, many... How many, many a many you go make? Many, many... How many, many a many you go make? Many, many...
One thing about this musical genius was that the band can play a series of songs continuously for one hour nonstop beats Rythms vocals and precursions all in one place
What we ran away for, had finally catch up with us as a country. Religiously we had failed and governmentaly we had failed. Let's run back to our God for help. And this man said it.
Feel so bad for Nigeria. A scammer pop up on my fb account. Feel more sincerely sorry for him than upset with him. I prayed for him and all of Nigerian. God never intended for any human on his earth to go hungry and without. One man greed is another man hunger. The cycle has to stop somewhere.
@@frankosakwe8382 bout the fake smiling; I see it. Everywhere I go, fake smile. I once had someone tell me, no one wants to hear about your problems, hence Suffering and smiling. Fela Kuti speaks truth.
just takes time and depends on how you get here. Took me many years and the only track I enjoyed was Water got No Enemy. But here I am this very day, playing Fela all day. Realest Shout Out to Burna Boy who is Fela reincarnated - that's how I really got into Fela
Something about his work really remind me of Van Morrison's influence. Thanks so much for your time and I look at my life in a new one for the never ending way. 🏴
Today 22 years ago this legend died. We celebrate, we suffer and smiling. Na secret na confidential matter. Just love and respect each other. Enjoy your time guys.
September 2020, introducing my wife, who is having contractions with our first son, to Fela. The music speaks to the world, and the word's explain the music flawlessly.
Nigerian people wake up!!!!!!Suffering and simleing. It go better till 5058 Raise up against the Authority thevies. Various musicians but Fela na Oga, zoom to 21 century is songs are still ringing bells .Nigerian politicians have not changed
We Africans are still looking for a good leader to take us to the promise land, he said a lot about our way of lives especially in Nigeria, so sad nothing has changed since, even the situation is getting worse
I need me a Yoruba friend to understand him better but nonetheless I still feel the message.As a Kenyan this hits me deep as it even speaks of shit happening at the moment even though he sang this ages ago.Viva FELA KUTI!!!!!
Bravo to all of you young people are listen to this Master of a musician, this makes me very proud, that there are not only Justin Bieber or Ariana Grande listeners in this age of 14 years and upward
O yeeees, good music has no bounds and can never get old. Like this piece. The brother-man has gone to his maker but through music his memory lives on. Peace upon him and may God bless his children.
When Fela Kuti did this song over 40 years ago, who will imagine that the people of Nigeria and Africa will still be suffering and smiling til date. A failure of leadership by embezzlers masquerading as leaders
This is the first Fela song I heard. It shook something loose inside me. Exploring his extensive discography and learning about his revolutionary approach to life has been an amazing experience. What an inspirational force for good. Thanks for the upload!
Im a 23 year old Armenian from Virginia Usa and this music touches me down to my ancestral spirits. It brings me away from the southern hillbilly society that i feel i dont belong to and reconnects me with my heavily cultured roots and energies. The world is a happy place which, despite all our pain, is abundant with life.
Barev dzees
You're a hillbilly. Embrace it while the Africans embrace our own.
👁️ MO AB 🗽🌏 ALL Moorish 👁️🌏 ASIA 🌏 ASIATICS 🌍 Inheritance 🧠 Birth right 👁️
Western part of Virginia... I was there too....
TAZEWELL....and such...beautiful place,but....people....eĥhhhhhh
Hope all remains well❤❤
@@1Pasha1492 nutcase much 🤓
Nigerians are still suffering and smiling Fela was a prophet
The whole of Africa still does, unfortunately
They stopped smiling now. They are running away in thousands!!
Nigeria a country with over 500 languages,with over 350 different ethnic groups,with more than 280 million people !!!
I really think that this Country will suffer forever !!!!
Nigeria has been ranked one of the least peaceful countries in the world, ranking 144 out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index report as of December 2023. Nigeria had a 2.713 score just behind the warring Israel.19.04.2024
as a matter of fact, it's now in their DNA!
I have a fond memory of a time I spent in Sweden back in 2005. I had run out of money one night before my flight back to England, forcing me to spend a night on the streets of Stockholm in -15 degs c weather. Part of the reason I had run out of money is that several days before I had bought two Fela CD's to play on my cdman. At first I tried to stay inside the expansive building of T Centralen where my train the next afternoon would take me to the airport. However at 11pm I and many others, travelers and legit homeless were pushed out into the snow by Police. Closed till morning. The homeless people left the area quickly leaving just a young African man and myself wondering what to do. We struck up a conversation in regards to our situation. I was in inadequate clothing for the weather and he in a worse situation. He had only that afternoon arrived at the airport from Nigeria to stay with his cousin. From the airport he rang his cousin to be told. 'Get a train into the city and I'll meet you in the morning.' So here he was in a tracksuit and trainers fresh from the heat of another continent and the prospect of spending the night on the frozen streets. We decided to move out of the wind and did so as best we could. In the lea I produced my cdman and showed him the CD's I had. He was delighted to find Fela among my selection. We then spent the next four hours dancing to keep warm sharing an earbud each, connected awkwardly by the wire. He tried to teach me how to do some Afrobeat steps and together we passed the hours until a bus station across the road open at around 4am. Inside the warmth we drank coffee and chatted more until around 6am I went to wait for my train to the airport and he went off to meet up with his cousin. I have forgotten his name at this point. Yet I think I shall always remember till my dying day the cold, cold night I danced to Fela's wonderful Afrobeat to stay warm with the Nigerian stranger who may have been one of the nicest people I ever met. :)
One of those rare encounters that leaves life’s indelible mark. Expatiate on this interesting encounter with before and after short story… it makes for good reading.
How I want take read this long thing now 😂😂😂
Wow..I hope that Afro Nigerian man comes across your comment.And you guys hook up if God still has given you days of life
I'm sure he will never forget you and your kindness ✨️
Classic solo traveller story.
I was playing in James Brown's Band and I thought we were the Funkiest band on Earth. The we went to Lagos, at the Shrine, to listen to Fela and Afrika 70 and I discovered we were wrong. The Funkiest band on Earth that was them. Bootsy Collins.
My God.. that's heavy! God bless you family!
@stevengardner07 Merci Monsieur
RESPECT & LOVE
I just discovered Fela Kuti's music last night and here I am now with a growing interest in Nigeria's cultural and social issues. Greetings from Mexico to everybody!
You are welcome my dear Africa love u....🇳🇬🇳🇬❤️❤️
Hello
l love this and the world is still (just about) an amazing and rich place . . .
You have sooo much to listen too! Fela has several sons too that also made/make great music with their fathers' influence. You're in for a treat.
@@jessebignell5147 how are you ?
Fela is more than a legend... Am still here 2024!
Me too
Fela and Bob Marley, two visionaries and prophets whose music is still relevant today!
Peter tosh
and Sun Ra!!!! Fela is from Africa and Marley from America. Sun Ra is from Cronos and it will be relevant for at least 50 years ahead!!!
labros avramis I think for as long humanity exist bro
Music is powerful
@@petermaximum6821 Indeed
I had the pleasure/privilege of playing drums at a impromptu fela gig. Its the highlight of my musical career, I felt like i was in a trance after 5 mins playing. Amazing, like being hypnotized.
Wow, how lucky. Stay blessed
Could you provide more context. Sounds like a cool story, I'm sure many (including myself) would be delighted to know the details.
You'll never forget that night. No need for pics or video.
@@moodyjames7871 Facts.
Wonderful
What Fela said in this song decades ago is what Nigerians are just waking up to in 2017. My mum back then as kid even told not to listen him anymore because he was evil for speaking against the exploitations of the religious leaders, few weeks ago she called me to stop paying tithes to greedy pastors. Funny isn't it
Ezzy Pizzy my mom used to tell me that too 😂😂😂 but I find her always singing some of his songs.
Lol
Ezzy Pizzy right, but it's better late than never
Fela was a prophet
It's sad more like.
Grateful to discover this beautiful tunes today while smoking blunt Amen
Say no more brother.
Fela Kuti and Bob Marley. Two greats who led the masses through their message in music who were intentionally and systematically silenced. And their legacy still lives on. We're still listening. July 2019.
Bob died of cancer. His rasta beliefs made him reject conventional medical treatment. A tragedy indeed, but hardly intentional silencing. The prophets may be gone, but their messages live on through the music.
@@ShanghaiRooster pop culture stripped him of his political message though, at least in the eyes of the general public. It's been sedated been made less dangerous in most hands but not all, some hands listen.
@@lynazidane6697Sometimes his politics were shallow though too.
“Buffalo Soldier” doesn’t really recognize the plight of Indigenous people. At best, it’s maybe a bit regretful but in terms of how black soldiers were treated and forced yo fight.
@@ShanghaiRooster he was intentionally infected with cancer, the CIA took him out ...allegedly
National anthem for Africans. Fela will always live on. He is prophet of our time
I am 70 years old now and I love Fela like I did since I was 20❤
One of my favourites of all time. An exploration of Africans’ obsession with Religion and Politics.
I m a 115year old man and still like Fela
I am a 15 years old girl. Coming back and listening to this gives me so much life compared to trending songs now
yess it's like soul cleansing, I am 16 and did this over the lockdown.
Please read more about African history. Blessings n Love
I'm so proud of you little sister 💝
@@lisaechabor598 for real theres something spiritual about felas music been listening since I was 14
This is when the world was truly serene .
Nothing has changed in Nigeria 🇳🇬. Rest in perfect peace REVOLUTIONAL LEADER
It's so sad. Nothing has changed at all. I Love my people but we must make a stand
Really?? Its got worse!!!! When Fela sang this song £1 = N1. Now? £1=N2000
I'm a Christian now, recently gave my life to Christ a few years back and it's the best thing I've ever done, however for me no music compares to Fela n I do agree with a lot of his logic jus that now I'm in Christ I have deeper understanding of the world. However musically, I don't think I can ever stop listening to this music and I just take it like if something like this can come from the Earth then one must wonder how great our God is!
You should listen to colonial mentality 😊
@@Qwizera👌🏿🎯
Spnd you time to you malt more than you work to get salery and use you intertament..enjoy, no Body can say anything or condam you..malt all days keep quait watch you and back side who the mother fuker
Christianity helps you cope. That's just it. You're scared of hell. But don't understand the scam behind the hell fire story
Amen
Truly the man was ahead of his time. Cameroonian here all the way from Dallas-USA. 2020???
This was Fela's commentary on theocracy and religious politicians in Nigeria. In this song he criticizes the Muslim and Christian elites in Nigeria for telling people to accept poverty and suffering because they will supposedly be rewarded in an "afterlife". This would make a great anti-Boko Haram anthem as they demand people give up everything good in life for fundamentalist Islam.
+Abel Ashes Do you have the authority to make such brave comments?
Abel Ashes
wow...those false profits...are just agents....!
I don't need any "authority". I have have knowledge.
Read the lyrics?
songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858727846/
Abel Ashes hmmmmmb
Fela deserves a Nobel Peace Prize
Real talk‼️
Shit. Oxishit. Fela deserves a book. A book in every school of the world. Consciousness is the Title.
I'm agree with you, he was a real musical genious. No contest.
Yes ke
Fela is the core of Nobel. Such Peace against violence !
Sending love, protection, healing and the power of the Most High and the mighty ancestors to my people in Nigeria 🇳🇬 ...Nigerian Live Matter Too!! End SARS
I have to cry listening to this genius, prophet and hero. Never ending goose bumps since I listen to this music, and that is more than 30 years already.
The synergy between Tony Allen and Fela was electric man. The business side of the relationship is another story but musically, they were equals. Two incomparable geniuses in the history of popular African music.
The synergy is electric and Tony Allen is a genius! But not equal to Fela Musically. No one is equal to Fela Anikulapo Kuti & He still remained the Most famous graduate from London Music School.
@@chillitopo2420 Maybe as a composer Fela was superior. But as an instrumentalist, Tony was incomparable, only ginger baker and max roach come close.
@@juanestadian8471You can’t possibly be serious. As a drummer Tony Allen was superior. What instrument could Tony Allen play that Fela couldn’t? Tony Allen couldn’t play saxophone. Fela is on par with Mozart and Beethoven as a composer.
@@westyraviz which is why i said max roach and ginger baker come close. I didn’t say they surpassed Tony Allen. Tony Allen is the greatest drummer in the history of popular music, bebop jazz included. But……there would be no Tony Allen if it wasn’t for two people, Max Roach and Art Blakey, who Allen says inspired him to play the drums
@@westyraviz fela surpasses Mozart as a composer. Mikes Davis surpasses Beethoven and Mozart as a composer. Because both were jazz musicians. Jazz extremely difficult to write and perform. It is not mindless improvisation as some people, casual listeners think. It is improvisation underrated by sketches of music.
I moved to Nigeria from USA to be with my Nigerian husband and learn more about my African/Nigerian ancestry & culture. Online I'd seen comments from Nigerians about the state of the nation on a recent post stating Nigeria was a happy place to live. Some comments said "suffering & smiling". I was later informed its a common saying based off this song, so here i am. This is my first time hearing Fela, and I love this music already. I'll be listening all weekend 💃🏾
Fela Kuti was certainly the originator of many expression in Nigerian Pidgin. He did not create the words, but he gave them different meaning. Even, the Pidgin of modern Afrobeat follows Fela Kuti's mocking pronunciation. Here are some Pidgin expressions Fela Kuti originated:
Yellow Fever: - the disease of a black person who bleached their skin.
Zombie: - (mostly military) people who mindlessly follow illegal orders.
Johnny Just Drop: - a person who is new to an environment, subject, skill, or belief.
Paddy-Paddy Government: - the practice among those with power or influence, of favouring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs and contracts.
Lady: - A female who thinks she is too posh or high class.
Scatter/Scatter: - Disorganization, disorder, disarray, like the mess Nigeria finds itself, politically and economically.
Power Show: - Shameless and childish abuse of power
You go hear am: - you will bear the worst part or full impact of a specified thing
(There are so many expression, and they are now common Pidgin expression)
One of the greatest and most talented musicians to ever come out of Africa and maybe the best! His music lives one today.
Everything he sang about 40 years ago are still happening today.
All the billions of Naira missing in the 70s that Fela sang about in his music and got him in trouble with the Military and Civilian rulers are still occurring today!!!!
Look at the rulers that Fela sang about and hated Fela for it: Gowon, Muritala, Obasanjo, Shagari, Yaradua, Buhari, Babangida, Abacha, Abiola, etc..............
What a legend. It is a pride to all Nigerians that this man came out of that country called Nigeria!!!
+talk2me9ja
...dream on.
It’s still happening today even worst:
budget padding, looters in the Panama Papers, electricity supply worse than
ever before after privatization, Buhari’s asking Cameron to return stolen
funds, individuals in the north owning oil blocks in the south... It's heart wrenching
Fela is the greatest African musician ever.
FELA IS STILL ALIVE.
COME & GROOVE WITH US @
LE SENOU, 28 RUE MARCADET -
PARIS 75018
July 2019. Love the comment.
As a Huge James Brown Fan, Easy Transition to Fela Kuti, Who is on a whole different level, sounds, style, it's Amazing Music!
Definitely agree with you
Just discovered Fela, I am grateful. Better late than never 🙏🏿 Feel more proud to be African!
💖💖💖💖💖
👑🐐🎶🕊️🌍🌏🌎🌐✨
Oh my GOD,i was too young to understand what the legend was fighting for but as I grew up ,i understand why he was & still the greatest prophet of our time,fela spent all his time fighting 4 emancipation of Africa ,equal rights , justice & Africa unity, NO comparable, may his soul rest in peace AMEN.
The Legend ,the Black president when you sang this song the notorious military and civilian turned to armed robbers called themselves politicians called hemp smokers
Fela Lives On. If you are still here in August 2019. Hit for me Like.
I be 57yrs.First Fela Live.shrine .......18yrs.life Changing....I go be Africa Oyibo.
this song is brilliant. the lyrics are pure gold. this is not just music.
Enamorado
Its the Gospel. The one and only Gospel we should be conscious of.
A
The best of fela
@@mailmajor01 best
An so religions build in thousand's of years whipped away by fella in 20 min ... Now that's the force of music ... Amen /right now
this message is still relevant till date! especially in Nigeria n Africa! Religion has become a commercial business in nigeria
This Fela was not just a Musical Maestro.....he also had some fucking Big Balls !!
Gbosa!! Babylon feel that one !
Polydor music of nigeria
I often listen to the great Fela but when you listen to the musical arrangements then you appreciate the genius of the man. In 2022 his words still resonate meaning!
His word will still resonate in 2075
His music is life. He is a musical prophet. He continues to live !!!
You can't compare fela and James . Both masters of their own music from different cultures both have in common struggle, poverty, African genes which made their music so great. They had something to say through song dance beat it aint no competition they inspired people which is how powerful music is and should be not a competition. One love unity
This all I gonna say since you cant get it both of them gene come from Africa no competition. End of it when Africans stop competition n come together then u get somewhere try both masters of their own music both have in common the same things one love unity
Abiyshag Shulamit Ysrayl You preach unity and exercise division. I agree Fela is one of a kind and owes nothing to the World, as does James. We only compete with our deficits of character.
***** there is merit to what you say, but music rolls that way... who influenced James Blood Ulmer? Hendrix?
haha I suppose that's true, cheers!
ultimately james brown was influenced by the sounds of barrel house music and the black church. jimi hendrix acknowledged his musical influence came from the blues as that is really all jimi played, he was also influenced by little richards boogie woogie style. fela's music sound and groove is a mix of james brown, american jazz and native african juju music. i would add a little jamaican ska but ska was influenced by american rock n roll and motown. black american's gave more to fela than the world will ever realize by way of influences and it goes beyond the music. this i have personally heard him acknowledge only a few years before his death..
The roots of music are in Africa. Thank you, Mr. Fela Kuti for this precious gift.
Music has no country or continent
@@santiagoauge7161 morden day musics have
Rap r&b hip hop reagge tango samba jazz country music rock music funk etc
Music started when the god Hermes invented the lyre while he was an infant, and gave it to Apollo.
@@gerritvanderspurt731 bla bla bla
@@gerritvanderspurt731 rubbish
A higher vibration this resonates on. Puts me in a trance-like state of upliftment. Nothing enlightens my spirit like Fela does. I'm grateful.
African spirituality.trantic bushman dancing does the same and traditional sussu drums
@@naletsanaele Are you ok?
@@naletsanaele You are better off just texting something of the kind:
I'm grateful to Fela too phuzzz82.
Fela Kuti was a visionary he was born with insight of the world conditions which became a reality until this day.Sorry for the younger generation who minds are gone forgetting who he is and what he stands for. Religion is still sucking the blood of the poor and uneducated instead of worshipping God they’re worshiping man, wake up Nigeria you can do better.
It's Jan.2020 I fell in love with this Fela song back in 1988 and it hits home now more than ever. I LOVE THIS SONG forever FELA.
Fela, our greatest and fearless philosopher really told all the stories about how hopeless and wicked our so called leaders had been. Now he's gone ,what can we do to keep his spirit alive. I think he deserves a special place in our struggle and history. I will recommend him for a special national honor
I agree with you my brother. Started listening to him at the ripe age of 5 when my dad brought home some of his LP,s.
Fela spoke for all the oppressed people of the world. He deserves more than a national award. He remains one of the most influential artists of all time.
Let's start the campaign to keep his message alive! Am with you all the way.
What fala say for loge now is coming to pass in 2020,
Hum Nigeria which way
MUSIC IS THE WEAPON FELA FOREVER. This is beyond music, this is a fight this is spiritual. This is HISTORY.
It's amazing how influential this is to modern jazz and dance music.
+MD Mohawk -Not really. Roots in Africa, made in America. Now it belongs to the whole world.
I feel like a lot if not most music stems from an African source but black americans are american black people, black african people didnt create what we call Jazz. White americans aren't english, they're American. Jazz is the epitome of American music if not the blues. I get the social/cultural point you're making, but this is music history we're talkin, it aint a matter of taste or opinion.
Right on Cat
So who cares if it's pioneered by whites or blacks, it's music. Why does everything have color barriers attached. Turn it up and enjoy it.....
Blues is the root of all music, IMHO.
The death of Tony Allen brought me here...Where have these melodious sounds been all my life?🥁🎺🎙🎶🔥
Fela, totally refused to be boxed. His songs were soul/Afrobeat/funk symphonies that did not fit the 5 minute segments favored by music companies and record companies. This particular powerful political symphony is more topical today than when it was first released close to 40 years ago. Play it to the children often.
Spot on!
“Art is not a mirror held up to reality
but a hammer with which to shape it.”
― Bertolt Brecht
I liked Brecht, Hull '91...didn't think all those women who put up with him got as much recognition as they should have done...
@@danielsmith1066 Yes, it is something that happens at different scales and not only in art. Studying the origin of the oppression of women and, of course, the way to go out of this inferno of exploitation and oppression engendered is the task of every human being.
Peace and love from turkey. ..
You are the best African musician ever!!!! I FEEL VİBES İTS AMAZİNG
I appreciate you this 22 minute was magical
21 minutes of Political and religious Awakening, Fun and Spiritual awakening all in one. Truly Magical.
Peace and love from Morocco. ..
You are the best African musician ever!!!!
Down with radical religion and stupidity
Mind blown again, being listening to Fela's music all day. Not my language but I can understand the message, but OMG!!! the vibe, the horn, the drums, the composition leaves me absolutely speechless....again, mind blown!!! I'm sharing this with my folks
He sang mostly in Pidgin (broken English) and Yoruba (one of the major Nigerian languages)
I'm glad you're enjoying his music
✊🏿
Wow. Incredible music, and as I read through the comments and learn about this man for the first time, I immediately have immense respect for him.
seanco ✊🏿
he is the root of almost all of burna boy's sampled songs
The first and the last Black President. Fela forever!
Fela is also an evangelist too
Fela. Kuti. Serra. Un. Roi. Pour. Toujours..!!.??.....
@@olusesiadeniyiisrael5039 ChoirMaster!
Abami Eda.
The music is not trying to force a melody into your head, it's just... there. This is what I love about trance music, it is not trying to grab your attention, but when it does, it still is interesting.
Great grooves, the 2 guitars bouncing rhythms off one another in almost all Fela's music is what brought me, the grooves kept me. Fantastic sound.
People spend more time arguing about Fela and James Brown's legacies rather than thinking about the message put forth in this music...
Don, when you talk about Fela or J. Brown, it would be shortsighted just to cover only one dimension of these wonderful human beings. Thank you.
Yo his band was flawless!!! These are Great musician all assembled to get this powerful and relevant message out. King Fela was way ahead of his time.
I love Fela and James Brown. If you know Fela history you would know that Fela himself said he was influenced by JB. However, Afrobeat is a genre all it's own. I wish they both were still here.
Fela - the man who saw tomorrow through music. Ur music will be here for many centuries. Rest on, Olufela
The troubles of Nigeria has made me gone back to fela song.. Let me endure it because he told us!!!
Dubem Dum Dum 🔥✊🏿🔥
One of the positives that I can take out of lockdown is discovering Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango. I thought to myself yes this is great background music, however it becomes so absorbing that it completely takes over, job done. The kings are dead long live the kings!
Marvellouss!!!! I´m shocked!! ..d kind of sound I´ve been dreaming listennin´in São Paulo!!! Help Us!!
To sing along
You Africans, please listen to me as Africans
And you non-Africans, listen to me with open mind
Suffer, suffer, suffer, suffer, suffer
Suffer for world
Na your fault be that
Me I say: na your fault be that
I want you all to please take your minds
Out of this musical contraption
And put your minds into any goddamn church
Any goddamn mosque
Any goddamn Celestical
Including Seraphoom and Cheruboom
Now, we are all there now
Our minds are in those places
Here we go
[Chorus]
Amen!
Suffer, suffer for world
Enjoy for Heaven
Christians go dey yab
"In Spiritum Heavinus"
Muslims go dey call
"Allahu Akbar"
Open you eye everywhere
Archbishop na miliki
Pope na enjoyment
Imam na gbaladun
[Chorus]
Archbishop dey enjoy
Pope self dey enjoy
Imam self dey enjoy
My brother wetin you say?
My brother wetin you say?
My sister wetin you go hear?
My sister wetin you go hear?
Archbishop dey for London
Pope dey for Rome
Imam dey for Mecca
Archbishop dey for London
Pope dey for Rome
Imam dey for Mecca
[Chorus]
Amen!
My people them go dey follow Bishop
Them go follow Pope
Them go follow Imam
Them go go for London
Them go go for Rome
Them go go for Mecca
Them go carry all the money
Them go juba Bishop
Juba Pope
Juba Imam
Then them go start to yab themselves:
[Fela starts chanting in mock-Latin/Arabic]
Every day, for house
Every day, for road
Every day, for bus
Every day, for work
My people, my people
My people, my people
We now have to carry our minds
Out of those goddamn places
Back into this musical contraption
Right opposite you
Now we are back here
This is what happens to we Africans every day
Now wetin I want tell you now
Na secret o
Na confidential matter
Don't tell anybody outside
Na between me and you
Now listen
As I dey say before
E dey happen to all of us every day
We Africans all over the world
Now listen
[Chorus]
Suffering and smiling!
Every day my people dey inside bus
Every day my people dey inside bus
Forty-nine sitting, ninety-nine standing
Them go pack themselves in like sardine
Them dey faint, them dey wake like cock
Them go reach house, water no dey
Them go reach bed, power no dey
Them go reach road, go-slow go come
Them go reach road, police go slap
Them go reach road, army go whip
Them go look pocket, money no dey
Them go reach work, query ready
Every day na the same thing
Every day na the same thing
Every day na the same thing
Every day na the same thing
Suffer, suffer for world...
How many, many a many you go make?
Many, many...
How many, many a many you go make?
Many, many...
How many, many a many you go make?
Many, many...
How many, many a many you go make?
Many, many...
Good job, nicely done.
Thank you very much
Damn those are some lyrics
Morning singalong with Fela made my day. Love from Sudan 💯
MVP
Fela said it all and now here we are, it is a pity. I weep for Nigeria.
One thing about this musical genius was that the band can play a series of songs continuously for one hour nonstop beats Rythms vocals and precursions all in one place
Legends not the noise makers live beyond death, his music is still very relevant to what Nigeria is still experiencing today. i salute abami eda
Obafemi Obajemihi ✊🏿
Fela's music speaks to the soul.
Yoruba people deserves accolades for inventing Afrobeat and giving us good music
What we ran away for, had finally catch up with us as a country. Religiously we had failed and governmentaly we had failed. Let's run back to our God for help. And this man said it.
2020... My people still suffering & smiling
Not sure they're smiling now
Feel so bad for Nigeria. A scammer pop up on my fb account. Feel more sincerely sorry for him than upset with him. I prayed for him and all of Nigerian. God never intended for any human on his earth to go hungry and without. One man greed is another man hunger. The cycle has to stop somewhere.
@@kalwilliams189 than maybe... God is not what you were told it was...
@@frankosakwe8382 bout the fake smiling; I see it. Everywhere I go, fake smile. I once had someone tell me, no one wants to hear about your problems, hence Suffering and smiling.
Fela Kuti speaks truth.
The suffering is now on another level
I genuinely feel sorry for people that can't get into this magic.
Must be deaf & blind... this sound is the purest gift! Boundless thanks!!
just takes time and depends on how you get here.
Took me many years and the only track I enjoyed was Water got No Enemy. But here I am this very day, playing Fela all day.
Realest Shout Out to Burna Boy who is Fela reincarnated - that's how I really got into Fela
I discovered Fela's music via Ginger Baker. Two greats talents that are sorely missed.
😂 when he speaks in tongues 🤣
The satire... Clear Mockery 😂🤣
haaasasafvmvhmp[[rrrssssghghjn,bbcxeaaaahdd
One of my favorite part as a child until my mother brought a pastor to pray for my brothers and I as a teenager and he did it.
BABA 70 FELA THE KING OF AFRO BEAT . THE BEST OF THEM ALL. GREAT MUSIC PROUD TO BE A NIGERIAN.
My God ! Whoever you are... We thank you for Fela 💞🔥
still one of Africa realist of all time
Something about his work really remind me of Van Morrison's influence. Thanks so much for your time and I look at my life in a new one for the never ending way. 🏴
Fela was rejected by his ppl in Nigeria but he still remained true! Salute ✊🏿 FBA love and respect
Today 22 years ago this legend died.
We celebrate, we suffer and smiling.
Na secret na confidential matter.
Just love and respect each other.
Enjoy your time guys.
September 2020, introducing my wife, who is having contractions with our first son, to Fela. The music speaks to the world, and the word's explain the music flawlessly.
This song extends beyond 21:35 minutes into the global day to day.
Nigerian people wake up!!!!!!Suffering and simleing. It go better till 5058 Raise up against the Authority thevies. Various musicians but Fela na Oga, zoom to 21 century is songs are still ringing bells .Nigerian politicians have not changed
Victor Toks.. I just Love what you are saying.. at the same time, we Africans need to build our OWN PARADISE.. BY OURSELVES.. FOR OURSELVES!!
ah true
Victor Toks 🔥✊🏿🔥
L'un des plus grands morceaux du roi FELA. Magnifique et envoutant. Un pur bonheur :)
Tu as tout a fait raison iremplacable
We Africans are still looking for a good leader to take us to the promise land, he said a lot about our way of lives especially in Nigeria, so sad nothing has changed since, even the situation is getting worse
Lately i can't seem to find a better music than this one, i listen to it everyday, several times a day. Incredible, his best track ever.
The best man in Africa number one man one love
Nonsoswiss Nonsoswiss ✊🏿
Another one from the great master. A global message that is needed even more today than 40 years ago!
Aguirre Cosmico I see your comments on the most eclectic TH-cam pages ✌️
I need me a Yoruba friend to understand him better but nonetheless I still feel the message.As a Kenyan this hits me deep as it even speaks of shit happening at the moment even though he sang this ages ago.Viva FELA KUTI!!!!!
i am a Yoruba man..,my friend
OLATUNJI seton I would appreciate some help as well ❤️🙏🏾
@@KingAkintoba I can help too if necessary
If your death from any man the person & generation will see peace
I'm from Kenya too, I have to get to learn more about their ways, to really appreciate these songs.
How disturbing is it that it's 2020 and everything he says is still relevant in today's Nigeria.
Bravo to all of you young people are listen to this Master of a musician, this makes me very proud, that there are not only Justin Bieber or Ariana Grande listeners in this age of 14 years and upward
The best music I have ever listen too.
Justice Tebogo ✊🏿
O yeeees, good music has no bounds and can never get old. Like this piece. The brother-man has gone to his maker but through music his memory lives on. Peace upon him and may God bless his children.
I had total joy of seeing him at Glastonbury... Unforgettable
Me too. What year was it? 1985? That was the first time I had heard of him. Blew me away.
When Fela Kuti did this song over 40 years ago, who will imagine that the people of Nigeria and Africa will still be suffering and smiling til date. A failure of leadership by embezzlers masquerading as leaders
This is the first Fela song I heard. It shook something loose inside me. Exploring his extensive discography and learning about his revolutionary approach to life has been an amazing experience. What an inspirational force for good. Thanks for the upload!
Ben Gockel ARARARARA ✊🏿
Also listen to "Why Black Man Dey Suffer", "Palava (Trouble sleep yanga wake am)", and "Water e no get enemy". If you haven't heard them already.
Fela is a kind of being that comes once in a thousand years
I can't tired to listen to the late great legend Prophet Fela Kuti 😭🙏😭 continue to rest in peace
A legend in our time.
Greetings from mount New York.
your music will be remembered in the annals of mankind's history.
whenever i am frustrated at how music is going, i listen to this video. Sheer class
shyamvk ✊🏿🔥✊🏿
Mind Liberating music, Long Live Fela