Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D.) (1977)
Artist
Label
Catalogue number
KFR2026
Release date
- Vinyl
- WAV / FLAC
- MP3
Recorded in autumn 1976, six months before the army attack on Kalakuta Republic, the title track is a lampoon of “been-to”s, Nigerians who had been to Europe or the US and who came back with inferiority complexes about African culture. Ghariokwu Lemi’s front-cover portrays a suited-up been-to, dressed like a cartoon British toff, as he parachutes into a Lagos street to the bemusement of passers-by. The back cover shows a more funkily dressed been-to, wearing US-style ghetto-chic, but looking equally out of place. See how these JJD’s dress and talk, sings Fela, they are trying to be foreigners. In response, the chorus repeat the single word “original.” This is a reference to Fela’s closing line on 1973’s “Gentleman” – “I no be gentleman at all-o, I be Africa man, original.” First re-issued by Knitting Factory Records as part of Fela Kuti Box Set #4 curated by Erykah Badu in 2018. Originally released by Decca Afrodisia.
