1968

Highlife, for years the most popular music in Nigeria, is being elbowed aside by African American soul artists such as James Brown, and by Nigerian “copyright bands” such as Geraldo Pino & The Heartbreakers and Joni Haastrup & The Clusters, who play cover versions of US soul hits. Fela takes Koola Lobitos on a second tour of Ghana, but finds highlife’s popularity is in decline there, too. Fela’s first album, a compilation of Koola Lobitos singles, is released.

1968

At a press conference, Fela announces he will now call his (increasingly soul-influenced music) Afro Beat. He records the first African cover version of Herbie Hancock’s hit “Watermelon Man.” Fela takes over the Kakadu Club in Idi-Oro, Lagos and renames it the Afro-Spot.

1968