Sounds like an extremely talented musician and a creative genius of sorts. I have a lot of reservations about some of his views but I try to separate the artist from the person whenever possible.
Thank you, Andres, for reading and taking the time to comment. You make a very fair and valid point. We often put certain individuals, like Kuti, on a pedestal and view them almost godlike. That's the cult of personality world we live in. While Fela was undeniably a fighter and hero for many, it's important to acknowledge he was also human and had imperfections and problematic beliefs that brought him back down to earth.
I chose not to debate some of his problematic views (but I do point them out in my conclusion) only because the point of my essay was more about the Power of Art. That said, as consumers of art, the idea of "separating the art from the artist" is a very important and personal conversation that I think we should all continually engage in (and challenge ourselves with). 🙏🏼
Sure, we all have contradictions. What perhaps bothers me the most about him is the hypocrisy of his stance on things that were so central to his work and had so many consequences for so many others, like talking against colonialism but forcing all these women into his home, fighting against dictators but being dictatorial himself about how men and women should behave, supposedly standing up for minorities whilst being homophobic. As a gay man myself, I need to draw a line here because he actively made things worse for so many gays, not least because the fact he was an AIDS denialist (disease of which he himself actually passed away, despite attempts to hide it).
I normally try to separate the person from the artist, but I struggle a lot in this case, because his retrograde views were central to his art and the world he was trying to create.
Yes, Fela's sexist and homophobic views are definitely problematic and his comments on AIDS and his attitude towards the disease, were harmful (and ultimately fatal!). I 100% agree!
However, I personally hesitate to make a judgment on his polygamy, as it is a much more complex issue. Polygamy is part of traditional Yoruba culture as well as in many other parts of Africa. In Carlos Moore's authorized biography of Fela ('This Bitch of A Life'), he interviews many of Fela's wives and most came from polygamist families themselves. When asked about their marriage with Fela none of the wives said anything truly negative towards him. Much to the contrary, they expressed their love and admiration for him. The most negative thing raised is that he "gave too much to others" and some wives voiced displeasure towards the hierarchical dynamics with the other Queens (the first and eldest wife wielded the most power).
When Fela realized he was sterile, he gave his wives the choice to leave the Kalakuta Republic or to stay. About half left - some because of deep trauma from the military's raid in 1977, but also many wanted children and Fela couldn't provide what they desired. The others, however, chose to stay. So, I don't think he "forced" them into the compound. Many were regulars at The Shrine and enamored by Fela and came to the house on their own will. Of course, this is based purely on one book and the interviews I have read, so I can't say it paints a complete picture of the man. That said, I am wary of placing my Western norms as a judgment on another culture.
However, I do agree that all of the above are an essential part of Fela's complexity as a human being. He 100% has his warts and they too must be part of the conversation when discussing him and his legacy.
I think the reservations you have towards Fela as a person, and how they cloud your appreciation of his art are valid. I completely respect your stance.
Can it really be considered “polygamy” when it was the men who had many wives but not the other way around? Polygamy makes it look like they were on an equal footing when in reality there was/is a very specific and systemtic patriarchal structure in place. I know I’m judging by western standards, but so are you if you think his wives’ consent can be analysed without regard to the specific context, especially seeing as they grew up in that kind of environment. How can one really take it as genuine or authentic consent when they’re not on an equal footing? It’s the sort of oppression you can only begin to understand when you have felt the consequences of being a minority yourself. In any case, it’s a very well written piece, and it has given us all stuff to think about 😊
The term for men having multiple wives is "Polygyny," which I used in the piece. You raise very good points, and I agree with a lot of what you say. When writing my essay, however, the focus I specifically chose was on using Art to fight and critique a corrupt political system and how threatened that "system" was by Art. There is no question that Fela did exactly that and was nearly killed because of it. To get into a broader discussion and critique of Fela, the man, is probably a book in itself.
Excellent! I never knew much of this history. Worse yet, somehow I've gotten past 50 years without having given Fela my full attention. Gotta rectify that.
Thanks for reading, Alan! There's an overwhelming number of albums with Fela's name on them. If you choose any of the ones I link in the article, it's a good starting point. I'd love to hear your thoughts on his music or any album in particular that may work its magic. Enjoy!
This is absolutely tremendous writing, Mike. To begin with the Duke quote is a total bullseye. The article has punch appropriate to the music it refers to.
Thank you, Phil! I really appreciate your kind words and support! When I first started this Substack, I told myself I wanted to eventually write about how Art can be Revolutionary and Fela to be a central focus of the essay. It's been in draft form for weeks while I worked on and finished other essays. I'm pleased with the final article, and I now hope it provokes thought and discussion both here and with oneself.
I have that Glastonbury performance on VHS, along with a few other documentaries and performances that although I'll doubtfully ever purchase another VCR, I hang on to for posterity. This is a great intro for anyone unfamiliar. 'Zombie' was the first thing I heard by him, although I don't remember how...And most of the albums I have are on CD, because the vinyl was still rare and unreleased, and then when it was, it was outrageously priced ($30 in 1994, you gotta be nuts). Watching footage of him live is watching a master at work.
Thanks, Jamie! Cheers for your comment. I always appreciate and value your opinion and thoughts. Knitting Factory Records have reissued Fela’s entire catalog, and they sound superb. They can be found here in the PNW for as little as $20.99 ($24.99 for some of the better known titles). The list in my article are my tried and tested go-to Fela albums. Do I have a favorite one? Hmmm…ask me on any given day, and I may have a different answer. Today, it’s probably ‘Confusion,’ tomorrow it may be another on my list, however. Btw, have you seen the 'Ginger Baker in Africa' film from 1971? There is some incredible early footage of Fela and the band in it.
I feel the same way, my "favourite" is always in flux. I see a lot of these now in record shops and it's the silliest thing—I know I should buy them, and know that I love them, yet always put them off for some record I'm infatuated with at the moment. Really, I'm the worst record collector. And I think I've seen that, but should track it down regardless!
You know you're a dangerous musician when the military of your country destroys your house!
Too right!
Sounds like an extremely talented musician and a creative genius of sorts. I have a lot of reservations about some of his views but I try to separate the artist from the person whenever possible.
Thank you, Andres, for reading and taking the time to comment. You make a very fair and valid point. We often put certain individuals, like Kuti, on a pedestal and view them almost godlike. That's the cult of personality world we live in. While Fela was undeniably a fighter and hero for many, it's important to acknowledge he was also human and had imperfections and problematic beliefs that brought him back down to earth.
I chose not to debate some of his problematic views (but I do point them out in my conclusion) only because the point of my essay was more about the Power of Art. That said, as consumers of art, the idea of "separating the art from the artist" is a very important and personal conversation that I think we should all continually engage in (and challenge ourselves with). 🙏🏼
Sure, we all have contradictions. What perhaps bothers me the most about him is the hypocrisy of his stance on things that were so central to his work and had so many consequences for so many others, like talking against colonialism but forcing all these women into his home, fighting against dictators but being dictatorial himself about how men and women should behave, supposedly standing up for minorities whilst being homophobic. As a gay man myself, I need to draw a line here because he actively made things worse for so many gays, not least because the fact he was an AIDS denialist (disease of which he himself actually passed away, despite attempts to hide it).
I normally try to separate the person from the artist, but I struggle a lot in this case, because his retrograde views were central to his art and the world he was trying to create.
Yes, Fela's sexist and homophobic views are definitely problematic and his comments on AIDS and his attitude towards the disease, were harmful (and ultimately fatal!). I 100% agree!
However, I personally hesitate to make a judgment on his polygamy, as it is a much more complex issue. Polygamy is part of traditional Yoruba culture as well as in many other parts of Africa. In Carlos Moore's authorized biography of Fela ('This Bitch of A Life'), he interviews many of Fela's wives and most came from polygamist families themselves. When asked about their marriage with Fela none of the wives said anything truly negative towards him. Much to the contrary, they expressed their love and admiration for him. The most negative thing raised is that he "gave too much to others" and some wives voiced displeasure towards the hierarchical dynamics with the other Queens (the first and eldest wife wielded the most power).
When Fela realized he was sterile, he gave his wives the choice to leave the Kalakuta Republic or to stay. About half left - some because of deep trauma from the military's raid in 1977, but also many wanted children and Fela couldn't provide what they desired. The others, however, chose to stay. So, I don't think he "forced" them into the compound. Many were regulars at The Shrine and enamored by Fela and came to the house on their own will. Of course, this is based purely on one book and the interviews I have read, so I can't say it paints a complete picture of the man. That said, I am wary of placing my Western norms as a judgment on another culture.
However, I do agree that all of the above are an essential part of Fela's complexity as a human being. He 100% has his warts and they too must be part of the conversation when discussing him and his legacy.
I think the reservations you have towards Fela as a person, and how they cloud your appreciation of his art are valid. I completely respect your stance.
Can it really be considered “polygamy” when it was the men who had many wives but not the other way around? Polygamy makes it look like they were on an equal footing when in reality there was/is a very specific and systemtic patriarchal structure in place. I know I’m judging by western standards, but so are you if you think his wives’ consent can be analysed without regard to the specific context, especially seeing as they grew up in that kind of environment. How can one really take it as genuine or authentic consent when they’re not on an equal footing? It’s the sort of oppression you can only begin to understand when you have felt the consequences of being a minority yourself. In any case, it’s a very well written piece, and it has given us all stuff to think about 😊
The term for men having multiple wives is "Polygyny," which I used in the piece. You raise very good points, and I agree with a lot of what you say. When writing my essay, however, the focus I specifically chose was on using Art to fight and critique a corrupt political system and how threatened that "system" was by Art. There is no question that Fela did exactly that and was nearly killed because of it. To get into a broader discussion and critique of Fela, the man, is probably a book in itself.
Yes, on that can agree 100%: the defiance was courageous and the legacy admirable
Excellent! I never knew much of this history. Worse yet, somehow I've gotten past 50 years without having given Fela my full attention. Gotta rectify that.
Thanks for reading, Alan! There's an overwhelming number of albums with Fela's name on them. If you choose any of the ones I link in the article, it's a good starting point. I'd love to hear your thoughts on his music or any album in particular that may work its magic. Enjoy!
This is absolutely tremendous writing, Mike. To begin with the Duke quote is a total bullseye. The article has punch appropriate to the music it refers to.
Thank you, Phil! I really appreciate your kind words and support! When I first started this Substack, I told myself I wanted to eventually write about how Art can be Revolutionary and Fela to be a central focus of the essay. It's been in draft form for weeks while I worked on and finished other essays. I'm pleased with the final article, and I now hope it provokes thought and discussion both here and with oneself.
I have that Glastonbury performance on VHS, along with a few other documentaries and performances that although I'll doubtfully ever purchase another VCR, I hang on to for posterity. This is a great intro for anyone unfamiliar. 'Zombie' was the first thing I heard by him, although I don't remember how...And most of the albums I have are on CD, because the vinyl was still rare and unreleased, and then when it was, it was outrageously priced ($30 in 1994, you gotta be nuts). Watching footage of him live is watching a master at work.
Thanks, Jamie! Cheers for your comment. I always appreciate and value your opinion and thoughts. Knitting Factory Records have reissued Fela’s entire catalog, and they sound superb. They can be found here in the PNW for as little as $20.99 ($24.99 for some of the better known titles). The list in my article are my tried and tested go-to Fela albums. Do I have a favorite one? Hmmm…ask me on any given day, and I may have a different answer. Today, it’s probably ‘Confusion,’ tomorrow it may be another on my list, however. Btw, have you seen the 'Ginger Baker in Africa' film from 1971? There is some incredible early footage of Fela and the band in it.
I feel the same way, my "favourite" is always in flux. I see a lot of these now in record shops and it's the silliest thing—I know I should buy them, and know that I love them, yet always put them off for some record I'm infatuated with at the moment. Really, I'm the worst record collector. And I think I've seen that, but should track it down regardless!