Story
1938
Olufela Olusegun Oludoton Ransome-Kuti - Fela - is born on 15 October in Abeokuta, a town fifty miles north of Lagos.
1946
Fela begins learning the piano, encouraged by his father, who believes studying music is an essential part of a good education.
1954
On a visit to Lagos, Fela meets Jimo Kombi Braimah, known to everyone as JK, who will become his life-long friend and confidant.
1955
Fela’s father, Reverend Israel Ransome-Kuti, dies.
1958
Fela leaves Abeokuta for London. His parents had hoped he would study to become a doctor but Fela is determined to continue with music.
1959
Fela forms his first group, Fela Ransome-Kuti and His Highlife Rakers. The band record four sides for Melodisc, one of Britain’s first independent African and Caribbean music labels.
1960
Fela disbands the Highlife Rakers and forms Koola Lobitos, which has a line-up of West African and Caribbean musicians.
1961
Fela marries Remi. His first daughter, Yeni, is born.
1962
Fela graduates from Trinity College of Music. His first son, Femi, is born.
1963
Fela forms the first edition of the Fela Ransome-Kuti Quintet.
1964
NBC hires Fela as a junior producer. Drummer Tony Allen joins his band.
1965
Fela is fired from NBC. He forms a second edition of Koola Lobitos.
1966
Koola Lobitos becomes a popular presence on the Lagos music scene.
1967
Trumpeter Tunde Williams (later a key member of Afrika 70) joins Koola Lobitos.
1968
Fela’s first album, a compilation of Koola Lobitos singles, is released.
1969
Fela and Koola Lobitos record a live album at the Afro-Spot and begin a 10-month tour in the US.
1970
Fela and Nigeria 70 record ten tracks in Los Angeles, later released in Nigeria as Fela Fela Fela.
1971
Fela changes his band’s name from Nigeria 70 to Africa 70.
1972
Fela renames the Afro-Spot the Africa Shrine and brings it back to life.
1973
Fela and Africa 70 release Gentleman, the first fully formed Afrobeat album.
1974
Fela is wrongfully jailed for three days giving him material for future albums, Alagbon Close and Expensive Shit.
1975
Fela changes his last name from Ransome-Kuti to Anikulapo-Kuti (“one who carries death in his pouch”).
1976
Fela increases his involvement with the direct-action political movement the Young African Pioneers.
1977
In an unprecedentedly brutal assault, 1,000 soldiers batter their way into Kalakuta and raze it to the ground.
1978
Fela marries 27 women in a traditional Yoruba wedding ceremony in Lagos.
1979
Fela and his political party Movement Of The People are banned from contesting Nigeria’s presidential election.
1980
Fela resumes touring in Nigeria and is joined by US jazz-funk star Roy Ayers.
1981
Fela renames Afrika 70 as Egypt 80 and tours Europe.
1982
With no international record deal and an economic recession gripping Nigeria, this is a difficult year for Fela.
1983
Fela’s son Seun is born. Fela makes his first appearance at Britain’s Glastonbury.
1984
Fela is arrested and has to cancel an upcoming tour.
1985
Fela is named a Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International.
1986
Fela is freed from jail. He announces that he will run for president.
1987
A series of events are held in Lagos to commemorate the 1977 attack on Kalakuta.
1988
Fela and Egypt 80 spend most of the year performing at the Shrine.
1989
Fela and Egypt 80 resume international touring, including two shows in New York with James Brown.
1992
Fela releases Underground System, which will be the final album of newly recorded studio.
1993 - 1994
Fela’s high-profile campaign for the right to smoke weed continues, as does police harassment of him and the Shrine.
1997
Fela dies. Over a million people gather to pay their final respects.
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Alagbon Close 50th Anniversary
4/20 Sale
Box Set #5 Reissues
Fela Kuti Box Set 6: curated by Idris Elba
Red Hot + Fela
Shakara 50th Anniversary
Afrodisiac 50th Anniversary re-issue
Roforofo 50th Anniversary re-issue
Fela Kuti Box Set 5: co-curated by Femi Kuti & Chris Martin
FELABRATION 2021: VIVA NIGERIA, VIVA AFRICA
2021 50th Anniversary Releases
Let's Start in the trailer for The Harder They Fall
50th Anniversary of Open & Close available for Record Store Day 2021
Fela's legacy celebrated with new scholarship at Trinity Laban
Regular Trademark: the official Fela Kuti merch line
Music of Many Colours Now Available On Vinyl
Sandra Izsadore and Fela
Fela Nominated for Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Fela Kuti x Online Ceramics Collaboration
Sorrow Tears and Blood (Edit) out now
Zombie (Edit) out now
"I Go Shout Plenty" now available digitally
Fela Kuti honored by Carhartt WIP collection
Fela Kuti Box Set #4 individual titles now available
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1955
Fela’s father, Reverend Israel Ransome-Kuti, dies.