Fela Kuti - Beast of No Nation

Beast of No Nation (1989) Fela Kuti
From the LP Beast of No Nation
Subscribe ► bit.ly/1XsVy99 & Everybody say "Yeah Yeah"
fela.net/discography/
This video is part of a series of songs being posted on Fela's official KZbin channel ( / fela ) each featuring, alongside the music, an informative commentary by Afrobeat Historian, Chris May.
The entire catalogue, released on Kntting Factory Records, is available on the Fela website (fela.net/), along with documentaries and recorded concerts, CDs and vinyl, tee shirts, posters and many other items.

[@Lomienmartins]

It's 2024! Who is here jaming this song with me? Fela lives..

[@feliciawells216]

What ? You never know 😂 blessings ❤❤❤❤

[@istvantoth7431]

✋

[@yerrylee252]

Fela legacy lives on 2024 April 29 still listening

[@VirtuousOyinda]

Who is still listening to this master piece in 2023?

[@veritas2048]

Oh yes

[@alicenestpasmonprenom5784]

Here!!!

[@maamecarolboahen5508]

2024!!!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@olaallen2280]

Me and you 😂

[@elalek8444]

And i

[@UhuruStar]

Fela was a Legend who would stand on the same pedestal as the Likes of Bob Marley and all the Greats! Nigeria Killed him but He lives on in our hearts and minds. I say this as an Igbo Man who still play Fela to my very young children! 💪

[@relaxpayourincometax]

Never forget when I first heard this. A lady dj named Nicky Easer (phonetic spelling) played it in it’s entirety on the radio. God bless her! It was a blessing for me.

[@user-gw1cy8gv4z]

Fela music is proohetic and still contains tryth of contemporary Nigeria for younger generation to learn. So people still listen to the music

[@djflexxy]

He said Buhari is a craze man , Nigerians went and voted for him again can u imagine . So sad 😞 look at Nigeria under Buhari regime , so sad

[@lwasaminathan1533]

April 2024❤

[@gibriltouray8533]

Its sad that Africans don't acknowledge their great men. I am Gambian and have been influenced by Fela's music a lot. Fela's music always bring me to tears, so i mostly stay away from it. He wasn't an ordinary person. He did his best for Nigeria.

[@monicarwells2]

Gibril Touray speak that truth !

[@onyemaukpai7673]

11

[@josirenja5852]

Exactly

[@tammyistafa155]

Cry no more. #EndSars

[@turdferguson8704]

I think it is this way for all people all countries. The victor writes history. People praise murderers like Che Guevara but do you ever hear of Moise Tsombe? You hear of Mandela whos greateness is quite debatable but how many people know of the great man made river of Lybia? Seek the truth and it shall set you free.

[@blazinchalice]

I am so fortunate that I was able to see him perform with his ensemble back in 1990. His absence is still felt all these years later. What a soul!

[@hervepatrick9884]

Still listening in Jan 2020 ! Who is here with me ?

[@idi419]

With you brother damn shame people never listened to his music and heeded it. I’m from Nigeria and all what he said is what’s transpiring now

[@yahson3675]

Meeee ❤️🔥

[@tiboange9888]

Me too ✊😍😇

[@motolaniayinde3274]

Number one

[@jefferycastro2289]

Am with you

[@JoyFay]

He warned about Buhari but our grandparents and parents no dey hear word

[@OldBlackFool]

My own grandparents and parents followed Fela and called him a prophet . Just like true prophets Fela was wounded for our transgressions..If you have a Bible check Isaiah 53. The only thing parents disapproved of was his insatiable appetite for women and "igbo" (cannabis). There were then other reputable artists with words of wisdom we also listened even as our parents and grandparents agreed. We've not been able to do anything about these political bandits and the army. They have guns and we don't. So please sir stop insulting your elders.

[@emazah9982]

@@OldBlackFool right. But not all parents supported him, though. You are accurate.

[@OusiaProject]

@@emazah9982 you can't force people with their eyes closed to see the light.

[@rasoodocks880]

I discovered Fela Kuti only a few months ago and have not stopped listening to him since. The music Fela produced with his band is among the most pure, transporting, meditative, thought provoking and honest collection of sounds that someone could hope to hear. Thank you Fela for your wonderful music and spirit.

[@rockvoorhees7724]

Thank you for this comment. He's one of the most famous singer in Nigeria, but I still feel he is greatly underrated even by Nigerians. His style of music is way beyond spiritual... There's something about his songs that makes me keep coming back after 25 years of religiously listening to him.

[@kolawolebabatunde8712]

You never miss, you are welcome to fela kingdom

[@jimmason5365]

i similarly only found a few months ago. well, i listened to it decades ago, but didn't get it. finally heard it recently. there is so much here. i too disappeared into it for months afterwards and to now. youtube enables so much magical music discovery. it might compensate for the rest of youtube!

[@samuelforrest-sufrin4516]

Check out Amerigo gazaway sampling de la sol and fela kuti! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKmopoZvid6ara8 I think you will like it!

[@gibriltouray8533]

Fela is a philosopher. He tried to break it down for us to understand. We non Nigerians also are influenced by this great son of Nigeria. Fela is among the great Africans who dwelled among us. May god bless Baba's soul. Indeed i miss this man and i will always love him

[@ikezilaw]

Fela Kuti, the man who saw tomorrow! R.I.P. #freeBiafra #freeOduduwa

[@oghensatumah7867]

Fela’s messages will forever be relevant to humanity no matter when or where.

[@aliakdogan9426]

i listened to fela alot when i was a kid but i understood nothing of the content , i just found it funny. Now i listen and i feel his pain.

[@martialndetcho6935]

Music is a Weapon

[@presh-el7030]

This man was a prophet!!!

[@monicarwells2]

The way them instruments come in oohhh weee .

[@kjshakurrn]

Aya Kata!

[@temitayotella4541]

June 2024... I'm listening to it.

[@tolukush1079]

Fela's lyrics still holds true in 2020. Buhari's government killed innocent unharmed protesters in Lekki 20.10.2020

[@muhammedadekanye7558]

BEAST OF NO NATION. Buhari come out!

[@hillaryogie4353]

Who is here after lekki tollgate massacre 💔

[@agavaification]

Fela knew Buhari. Look at what's happening now

[@justtime2670]

Love from Jamaica for the great king fela

[@amdiindayi6537]

I'm crying in ma soul listening to this contraption!!

[@ruypriast]

African beat is over the top, have influenced pop music worldwide. Fela was a genius...

[@ThisisNwakaibeya]

It’s 31/05/2024 and still listening, it’s a supernatural things.

[@victorjoe5294]

This song hit different in 2020, The same animal in human skin (Buhari) still a perpetrator walking freely 😭😭😭

[@Methadone4Life]

Indeed. We have one over in a orange animal in human skin named Donald Trump...ugh!

[@tebogomodiba1994]

The emotion in his voice 😢😭 will we ever be as brave as Fela Kuti and other struggle warriors that died for our liberation? We are fighting a different oppression but divided we fall, together we stand on social media but never on the ground. Cry my beloved South Africa. 😢

[@pameladaily9388]

I got into fela in 1983 my neighbor played him every day I use to feel him go to their house just by hearing him I feel in LOVE STILL TODAY I STILL LISTEN TO HIM things are still going on

[@cyrilobi7209]

Great man. We strongly need people like Fela now, he came and left at a wrong time. We miss him.

[@napoleon760]

As young Nigerians, we listened to Fela and loved his melody but today 21-10-2020 after listening to it again and following the incident yesterday 20-10-2020 in the Country he had warned us but now i understand.

[@Rhythmicons]

What incident?

[@napoleon760]

@@Rhythmicons "Endsars" shooting....you can check online for more details

[@Rhythmicons]

Thanks, cause the date didn't ring any bells.@@napoleon760

[@Rhythmicons]

Sad!@@napoleon760

[@josemaria8177]

Extraordinary men make extraordinary music!

[@kunlesanwo5358]

Abami Eda himself thank you for various words of inspiration given to us. May your soul continue to rest in peace and Africans have good leaders

[@adeamujale]

Easily the best musician ever to have mounted a saxophone.

[@prodbydjsmalls]

Amujale it’s John Coltrane unfortunately. Fela studied Coltrane

[@kjshakurrn]

That's a Fact!

[@maximedemers3531]

Coltrane is a perfect sax player, Fela played sax with his soul perfectly

[@maximbelmont4641]

@@maximedemers3531 listen to A Love Supreme & rethink that statement.

[@miguelbranquinho7235]

@@prodbydjsmalls Why 'unfortunately'? Fela, Coltrane, Sanders, they're all wonderful musicians. We're lucky to have them. That one's better than the other means nothing.

[@Sheyi80s]

I was 9 when this song came out. And nothing as change ever since. Timeless

[@haddingtoniangcp2464]

So was I. 9 and running around in Africa. Heard of fela when I was 17.

[@flitraderscircle469]

For those who don't watch "the beast of no nation" movie, it's a must watch. It's the most saddening movie I've ever watched yet the most true to real life situation you'll ever experience. It was like it was shot in the middle of the war in that time.

[@yolandejantjies4809]

I feel like the movie does not do justice to the song ...... long live 👑 fela kuti the king of music

[@mphuphuthaalpheus7489]

whats the name of the movie bra

[@k.joycefacey7776]

@@mphuphuthaalpheus7489 beasts of no nation. On netflix

[@delankeli8542]

Every African understands Fela's cries because we are treated as if we are below humanity yet we are humanity but some ingrates turn on their brothers and sisters always hiding their animosities behind their suits. Fela's tunes are the true reflections of most African leaders

[@ericgendell8874]

They tried to take a census of his children, but the machines broke. Fela gave new meaning to the term: "Father of his Nation".

[@soulysses783]

Named himself Anikulapo meaning immortal

[@aarondixon7]

Those sax solos though 🔥🔥🔥🙌🙌

[@adeamujale]

Truely something special.

[@blackism4everokpeyen871]

The only man I cried for when I heard about his dismissal

[@malikaustin2952]

Fela is a prophetic genius...His message is timeless.

[@felakuti]

Thanks for the lovely message Malik.

[@charlesficherwcoffeebreaks7521]

Shalom Greetings! Eym grateful for these messages! Have an absolutely fantastic day!

[@princenenzyboi43]

He was never a prophet he was only talking what was happening

[@MrEzzdean]

@@princenenzyboi43 The prophets live only in Bible or Kuran!! Right!! emancipate yourself from spiritual slavery

[@monicarwells2]

I tried not to do it tonight but oh well 😩 this is one of my favs

[@kjshakurrn]

mine too....I listen to this everyday.

[@brightasamoah1267]

The sax piece after " let's get down to the underground spiritual game" is really spiritual...10:45

[@kjshakurrn]

yes indeed it is brotha....class is in session.

[@dangamkandawire8066]

The sax really hits me

[@peacekkqmark]

woah bro

[@oluwadamilola6233]

It's kinda sad too, the entire song is one sad song..i swear I'm in tears 😭

[@yaroh100]

J'ai rencontré le maître en 92 car j'ai organisé son seul concert à Ouagadougou. Il a publiquement rendu hommage à Sankara puis fustigé le régime de son assassin Compaore. Puis il avait enflammé le stade. Sa musique est puissante et complexe. Il fait réfléchir et rêver. Elle est éternelle...

[@businessheight1059]

Dope

[@monicarwells2]

I was laying here and this just popped in my head 🙌🏽🙌🏽❤️❤️

[@kjshakurrn]

that's the unconquerable Spirit of Baba Fela A. Kuti

[@matthewogbodo5541]

This is 2024. I am Enjoying the music.

[@Josiah-X]

This year, 2019, is the 30th anniversary of this album release. 👌🏿😎🌴

[@igboukwu]

Fela warned us about this man, we didn't listen. I am ashamed of myself for campaigning for this man in 2015. I need forgiveness.

[@onthewattle]

On ya mate, just campaign for something just next time. Plenty of hero advocates started with a mistake

[@omoharry2173]

I am sure you are wiser now . We pray we make good decisions in voting in goods for the sake of our unborn children

[@charlesficherwcoffeebreaks7521]

@@omoharry2173 Shalom Greetings! Thank you for your words; my Granfather fought in ww2 as a merchant marine in the us navy- how is it possible to run out of necessities? by focusing on unsupportive businesses that use systems that don’t serve the true purpose. Have a absolutely OG day from Las Vegas!

[@mitchellabu87]

We just have to not make the same mistake by voting Tinubu or Atiku or Obi in 2023

[@klevarhymes-fe8fu]

😂😂😂

[@viqwinner]

The sax work at 7:10 is monumental! The track itself is tremendous for the instrumentation. You listen to it again and again, isolate and concentrate on each instrument; each note tells a message in the set up that builds relentlessly with crescendo until the lyrics emblazon the concept on the mind.

[@abiodunosemobor]

The sax work is divine. Unbelievable stuff

[@mrttripz3236]

Fela Kuti demanded that level from all his musicians.

[@bolanlebalogun7782]

What I love about the way you segmented the timing of that sax works is enlightening as I don't even know you could possibly break music down bit by bit and take it in.

[@wilcoxpromise]

I came to hear to listen to the Bass. I believe Fela's musicians are not well appreciated. I enjoy the long instrumentation.

[@wilcoxpromise]

The guitar string that comes up on 6:00 and plays for about minute is similar to Earl Klugh....the guitarist is that good.

[@aldoe2975]

Given what is going on in Nigeria at the moment, I had to come back and listen to this masterpiece

[@emmanuelotumala6345]

I SEE YOUR POST IS TWO YEARS AGO, HOWFA NOW NA?

[@allaroundnigeria]

This has to be Fela’s greatest song ever, Timeless piece! Continue to rest, one day they will listen & learn.

[@viqwinner]

You're not far from the truth, man. The instrumentation is monumental. The background is masterful in it's simplicity. The wind work - sax and flute - smothers the mind. The micro message as related to the African set up, the macro message as related to the world stage, are spot on. The philosophy, the concept of the message are so germane as to remain in relevance till God comes to set things right in the end.

[@lathanmarsh7312]

Much agreed!! This and coffin for head of state. Fela was light years ahead of his time. First heard this song in 98 on college radio!!! It left such an impression!!! " dem jail me 5 years!!! I No I do nothing!!!! " message in the music!!!

[@napoleon760]

Today the 21-10-2020 we have listened and just learnt.

[@shaspearman8647]

I agree

[@SivuyileGanyaza-sf4cb]

Africa is great,,,period,,,,,,,,,,,

[@josephbisong733]

This music should be played in every peaceful protest going on in Nigeria.Best of no nation #Endbadgoverment.

[@comeonyouyellows]

Fela - father of Afrobeat.

[@sanaga2379]

fo SURE 💚❤💛👍🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@EugenePaints]

I came to know this artist only a couple weeks ago! I fell in love with the record "Expensive Shi t"

[@tellingtruth123]

who is here October 2020 ... END SARS ! .. this uprising will bring out the beast in us

[@tammyistafa155]

#EndSars we will do it right

[@omololaadesina3665]

It actually brought out the beast in us💔💔💔... 20:10:2020😭

[@Ularin]

Yas!

[@ohiagbi-mp2gi]

FELA LIVES FOREVER!!!!!

[@Happiness632]

My people are useless is Indeed animal talk either then or now yet we still see this same people over and over again. Who are those here in December 2020?

[@matotola3356]

Listening on the 20th of October, 2020 and this song is still applicable.

[@benjaminbenjamin8219]

This song made me cry with bliss.

[@wotizit2937]

Outtasite! There will never ever be another Fela!

[@najtatou8832]

Still listening in Jan 2021 and learning about him

[@compudon8861]

Buhari .... Egbekegbe gba (Beast of no Nation) still want to be president, Fela You are always right, Animal wan give us human right, how animal go no say slave time don pass, na craze world be dat , my youth are lazy, my people are foolish... and e wan still be president. God dey Heaven dey look dem, soon all this nonsense go finish... God bless u BABA... RIP

[@alexandrebrun3437]

I listen fela since the 80's. His music never gets old. Great man. Africa should be proud of who he is and what he represents.

[@CharlesOnikosi-ql5sb]

He had his issue with the police and government of those ERA. He was a man of the people, much loved by both Christians and Muslim. He believed in traditional powers, but never inflicted pain on people or injured himself with it, except for personal protection. He feared God for blessing him with advanced knowledge. He lives on in our memories.

[@mashilokgosana7866]

We are living with the ancients

[@nowayout8773]

Fela's music is never boring. The rhythm and musical direction is phenomenal. I get listen and some solo, different, seems off key, but it is not. All the musicians synchronize and like jazz, very organized and improvisational, the music just gets my mind wondering.

[@rgwebb5165]

I found Fela through best of Black President volume one 20 years ago. I thought it was interesting, certainly different, but I wasnt ready at that point to take the deep dive into his catalog until the start of 2019. Once I did, I listened to almost no other musician for months. There was so much quality stuff. His anti authoritarian politics and how he paid for his beliefs is extraordinary. He is one of my favorites now. This is my favorite song by him.

[@blackism4everokpeyen871]

2022 still listening to the legend

[@mansourcissoko7748]

a few years ago my history teacher told me about the commitment of this wonderful artist. I just discovered his music, I really appreciate it !

[@rasta-moumou9749]

Very relevant these days..really ispiring..true thinker nd man of vision...bless you papa kuti

[@malike7211]

Still a vibe in 2023 🎶

[@nicolasceronmoscoso1401]

Fast-foward 30 years, the song is as relevant as ever.

[@chineduezeonu6821]

Prophet Fela

[@bolanlebalogun7782]

Thanks everyone who has commented on this masterful piece. Please I believe we all have an obligation towards the continent Africa but what I realised as much as it is all our burning sensation, we have all refrained from taking strategic action to use a collective effort to form a movement that will turn Africa to what they are afraid it will be. If you at least see it the way I have presented please like my comment and the movement shall arise.

[@muoboghareobuks5857]

Pan Africanism

[@onideke9712]

Baba Fela.... Much respect.... After you na you. nobody don do am again.

[@sanaga2379]

🔥🔥💚❤💛😍👍

[@cmoonn]

I will quote Fela a lot on my antropology exam today. great Man!

[@shjakes]

Hope you got an "A!"

[@leorickt.9604]

Anthropology has become a stagnant pool of post-modern garbage and im very glad i did not finish my undergraduate studies in that.

[@charlesficherwcoffeebreaks7521]

Shalom Greetings! I didn’t geaux to college for the reason they don’t drink my favorite coffee nor offer it on campus- Organo. Have a absolutely OG day from Las Vegas!

[@monicarwells2]

I feel every beat of this song every time I listen to it.

[@djbullock4]

I tear up everytime

[@davidkariu2330]

It never ends.

[@akinwumideborah7805]

Who's listening 2022..am a nigeria 🇳🇬 living in America with what is going on in nigeria today I can't get over dis song ...hmmmmmm

[@successarab4207]

There's is only ONE FELA He is The GREATEST musician coming from Africa to the World Rest On ABAMI EDA✊✊✊✊✊🤍🤍🤍🤍

[@naradafranklyn6095]

Legendary Fela Ransome-Kuti is a music-guru and a messiah...through his music, Fela revealed the acute manipulations, machinations and corruption schemes perpetuated by colonial-powers against Africans & African Continent...I am glad to have experienced his live-performance shows at "the Shrine", Ikeja and at a live concert in Brixton, London, England...This Song: "Beast of No Nation" is one of my favorites...Rest-In-Power, King!

[@oludareodele282]

An Icon, my hero of all time. Live on Baba!

[@titusetori1442]

The music genius Fela Kuti invented a style. He composed songs, played keyboard, saxophone and drums while performing on stage

[@Balamusakona]

Qui écoute avec moi cet œuvre d'extra terrestre avec moi en 2024.?😮😮😮❤❤❤

[@yinkamatti8096]

Reality of Humanity ... BEASTS

[@berkslaw]

THE BASS AND DRUMS!!!!!!

[@yolandejantjies4809]

We as Africans must listen very well!!!!!!

[@ehijiatorraphaelehijiator9208]

Who is with me 2020.....

[@jokoboyama6322]

The guitar part around 5:55 is beautiful

[@user-zc1mt6hp1n]

In my 20s l listen to Zombie, now 65 and still play it today, believe it's more relative now...

[@ariomerebiidowuesther6987]

Prophetic song. It's happening

[@viqwinner]

This rates as one of the greatest creations from Fela. The instrumentation is monumental. The background is masterful in it's simplicity. The wind work - sax and flute - smothers the mind. The micro message as related to the African set up, the macro message as related to the world stage, are spot on. The philosophy, the concept of the message are so germane as to remain in relevance till God comes to set things right in the end.

[@Methadone4Life]

6:01 to around 11:00 is just priceless musicianship!!! Legendary and masterful but that is Fela Kuti...The Black President!!

[@banjioma]

Listen to the original Army Arrangement, especially the first 20 minutes which Is purely instrumental.

[@viqwinner]

@@Methadone4Life Spot on.

[@berryp1670]

Fela said this man years ago but now the same beasts are still ruling us till now only God can help this nation.

[@zaranigeriatrending1848]

Listening in 2021...♥

[@finsensetv]

I am vibing to this track in May 2021. Who is here with me

[@collinsakugbe7011]

It’s the 10th day in the month of may, 2022. I grew up listening to Fela. After all this time, I always come to tears whenever I listen to his songs. I wish I had the chance to meet you, or see you do your thing on stage. “Watin United inside United Nations?”

[@obi387]

There is no greater musician than Fela De Great!

[@TylerFlanagan-xk5lb]

Me! Found out about this brilliant soul out on my Austin Tx travels.

[@CiroDErrico-vu6vx]

Here I am.....from Torino....Italy ❤🎉

[@theophanebiyoghe5075]

25:30 is the most magical part of the song! Damn the guy was good! What an extraordinary musical arrangement!!!