Thursday marked the birthday of one of the greatest musical talents of all time: Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

Kuti, who was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, to Yoruba parents, became a musical icon who achieved immeasurable popularity in Nigeria and abroad. He was a renowned singer-composer; trumpet, sax and keyboard player; bandleader; and politician.

Introduced to the teachings of Kwame Nkrumah in his youth, and later Malcolm X, Fela cultivated his affinity for political and social ideology throughout his lifetime. His mother, Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was a leading figure in the feminist and nationalist movements.

In 1968, Fela introduced a unique sound, which he termed Afro-beat, a blend of Nigerian highlife music, Yoruba percussion and American funk and jazz.

"In 1954, Kuti joined the Cool Cats as a singer in that highlife band (highlife being the rage of the Lagos music scene at the time). During this period, Kuti developed his own unusual sound, which he described as highlife-jazz. In 1968, Kuti announced the arrival of Afro-beat; within the year [he] was promoting his sound all over the USA on a 10-month tour where he became influenced by American jazz." Source

Adopting the moniker the "Black President" in the 1970s, Fela was aware of his immense influence. He astutely dissected and vocalized issues such as colonization, self-hatred, corrupt leadership, capitalism and miseducation, tying these issues together masterfully through his art.

In the film 'The Black President,' in which he spoke of his country's attempts to quell his political activities, Fela stated, "If they think that I'm going to change, or compromise, in my attitude, in my way of life, or in my expression, or in my goal towards politics, they are making me stronger."

In 1979, Fela began his own political party, called Movement of the People (MOP), though his bid for the presidency was unsuccessful.

Considered one of Africa's most controversial musicians because of his tireless campaign for the rights of every person, Fela became a symbol of resistance around the world. Despite harassment and imprisonment, he continued to record politically charged songs and advocate for Pan-Africanism.

Of Pan-Africanism, Fela stated, "That is the only way the Africans can benefit from their environment," he said in 1986. "The way Africa is cut up now and the way the individual African governments behave in Africa is negative to progress. This is why we see the unified Africa as the ultimate. Because Africa is not unified, that is why South Africa can operate (in apartheid)." Source

Growing up, Fela's music was a staple in my household. Along with musical greats such as Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye. The Afro-beat sound was literally music to my ears: The drums, the saxophones, the trumpets, the raw soul. I was instantly hooked.

Fela's life was as complex and rich as the art he created. A giant among men, Fela relentlessly challenged oppressive governments, advocating for freedom of political and social expression without fear of repercussion. Legends may die, but their music lives on in each successive generation.