Fela Kuti - Zombie (Edit) (Official Audio)

Stream/download "Zombie (Edit)" here: FelaKuti.lnk.to...
More info here: felakuti.com
The most inflammatory album Fela had released to date (which is saying something), Zombie triggered the power structure’s most vicious reprisal. The regime had been infuriated by Fela’s exposés of army and police violence on 1974’s Alagbon Close, 1975’s Kalakuta Show and 1976’s Ikoyi Blindness, but its anger was as nothing compared to that stoked by Zombie. In the lyric, Fela ridicules the men in uniform. "Attention! Quick march! Slow march! Salute!" he sings, "Fall in! Fall out! Fall down! Go and kill!" Each phrase is followed by the women singers’ taunt, "Zombie!" Fela continues: “No brains, no job, no sense joro jara jo; tell am to go kill joro jara jo; tell am to go quench joro jara jo.” On February 18 1977, the army would take their revenge: 1000 soldiers surrounded Kalakuta Republic, battered their way in and burnt it to the ground, beating any occupant they could catch, including Fela - and his 77 year old mother, who was thrown out of a second floor window, an outrage which caused her death the following year.
Full LP audio, with commentary from Afrobeat Historian Chris May, here: • Fela Kuti - Zombie

[@FlameShield]

In 1978 riots broke out in Ghana as the Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti performed ‘Zombie’ to a packed stadium in Accra. The song was a bold and defiant criticism of the corrupt police and army forces in Nigeria, branding them as ‘zombies’ who would follow orders unquestioningly. The Ghanaian government suppressed the riot, imprisoned Kuti and his 70 person entourage for 2 days and then flew them back to Lagos, Nigeria, banned from ever returning to Ghana again. Fela’s incredible popularity and the defiant and fearless political message to his music made him a serious worry to the ruling elite, and it was not the first or last time that they attempted to silence him.

[@isidorembianda7504]

The Ghanaian government needs ro offer Fela posthumous apology to Mr Kuti and name streets after him....

[@sprig6043]

Thank you for this back story. Never knew this about this Zombie track. Much respect!

[@scootersickles6389]

After being left in the dirt by close friends, Fela and femi’s songs really helped me find rhythm in my life happy and meaningful again, kept my depression away, those those “friends”really were zombies in the end

[@robefernandez1960]

The album was a scathing attack on Nigerian soldiers using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military. The album was a smash hit with the people and infuriated the government, setting off a vicious attack against the Kalakuta Republic (a commune that Fela had established in Nigeria), during which one thousand soldiers attacked the commune. Kuti was severely beaten, and his elderly mother was thrown from a window, causing fatal injuries. The Kalakuta Republic was burned, and Kuti's studio, instruments, and master tapes were destroyed. Kuti claimed that he would have been killed if it were not for the intervention of a commanding officer as he was being beaten. Kuti's response to the attack was to deliver his mother's coffin to the main army barrack in Lagos and write two songs, "Coffin for Head of State" and "Unknown Soldier", referencing the official inquiry that claimed the commune had been destroyed by an unknown soldier. Kuti and his band then took residence in Crossroads Hotel as the Shrine had been destroyed along with his commune. In 1978 Kuti married 27 women, many of whom were his dancers, composers, and singers to mark the anniversary of the attack on the Kalakuta Republic. Later, he was to adopt a rotation system of keeping only twelve simultaneous wives.[2] The year was also marked by two notorious concerts, the first in Accra in which riots broke out during the song "Zombie," which led to Kuti being banned from entering Ghana. The second was at the Berlin Jazz Festival after which most of Kuti's musicians deserted him, due to rumors that Kuti was planning to use the entirety of the proceeds to fund his presidential campaign. wikipedia

[@MRSZ5440]

That's Heavy one thousand soldiers for one Man.

[@aubreylear]

thanks wikipedia

[@Akaritomi]

@@MRSZ5440 the greatest weakness for men with authority is their fragile egos.

[@qwj68boots]

I learned more! Many thanks.

[@qwj68boots]

@@MRSZ5440 power ofl a prophet.

[@C4LLifestyle]

Best diss track ever! ✔✔✔

[@igwezetoritseju2117]

Aswear He insulted them no cap😂😂

[@daksartessy9610]

Facts!

[@scootersickles6389]

Can someone translate, I’m full English and dunno sorry, I love this song tho very much

[@dekev7503]

@@scootersickles6389 The song is a mockery of the military. It was released in the 70s when many African countries were oppressed by military dictatorships. He basically said zombies ( soldiers) have no mind of their own and can only obey orders irrespective of how inhumane and degrading the orders might be. It’s basically the African version of the song “f*ck the police” by N.W.A. Here instead of the police, it’s the soldiers that had the habit of infringing on the rights of innocent people.

[@davidake7081]

this guy remains a legend.............. what he spoke about years ago are still in existence.......... we still have zombies who carry guns and leave sorrow, tears and pains. they harm peaceful protest but cant face boko haram

[@pablomalaga4676]

Boko haram is by the same creators of Isis

[@FJBx100]

@@pablomalaga4676 And ISLAM is the root of all this evil.

[@aeeshah]

@@FJBx100 can smell the hate from here. Take it somewhere else

[@ogawizzycomedy8387]

I tell you. My. Brother Ghana..

[@igwezetoritseju2117]

@@FJBx100 let's not blame religion There are good and bad people from every religion

[@leonachunine560]

This song is a masterpiece, in fact, one of Fela's best songs. The arrangement and musicianship is second to none.

[@tounoni]

I am searching for and listening to all my mum's favourite songs online. I cannot leave out our local stars I am crying as I listen to each of them. Mum RIP, I love and miss you so much. Zombie to any of us who acted like one!!!!

[@rasmoral3909]

I've never heard a song with so much confidence and bravery .....you must be a demigod to write a song like this ...I'm from Ghana 🇬🇭

[@doloke1]

What we are forgetting is that this highly sophisticated composition was nearly 50 years ago as of 2024!

[@osasogieidahosa1327]

This is the greatest of greatest of all time Baba we miss you Nigeria is still in bondage

[@beckylynchthemanwwe7427]

He's a legend And he left a lot of lovely songs for us He left a big mark and made a huge impact Love you fela💚

[@olaakinlade4362]

To be able to write like that In the midst of palpable and real dread of reprisal Was nothing short of extraordinary. He took all our hushed voices And made them big. And strong. And fearless. Legend. Triple locked.

[@4hunnid5thecentralspot10]

Wanna learn how to nation build? Take lessons from the master!!!!!! OBA FELA KUTI LIVES!!!!!!!!

[@paulagi6429]

The signature of the LEGEND.

[@Aurabora54321]

The rhythm and instrumentation reminds me of some of my favorite James Brown's compositions ...now I know it's source

[@Noblehimself]

Kwame Nkrumah of Nigeria 🇳🇬… much love from Ghana 🇬🇭

[@Damian-rt3rt]

He is not Kwameh Nkrumah😂. He is Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

[@camaramamadou5902]

Very nice and marvellous! FELA FOR EVER!

[@WheresMsCass]

Fela we will never forget you 🙏🏽

[@Prodigalfur]

GTA 4 brought me such a banger

[@scootersickles6389]

Yes

[@isidorembianda7504]

Fela didn't do music...he did something else...much more than just music...much more than the message...

[@Startmove93]

Zombie, Fela Kuti 4EVER.

[@estanislao3414]

I’m so hyped for Felabration

[@anthonycadio6675]

I'm proud to be a Nigerian 🇳🇬

[@Mr.Prince____]

Are you a zombie?

[@soulproduct6209]

One of the funkiest songs ever!

[@isidorembianda7504]

Apart from his daring lyrics have you sat quiet qnd have a deep take on the his musicianship and depth in his compositions!!!!! True musical genuis,master of his craft

[@jflemoine1]

For the last 30 years, every January 1st of every year I blast this song the entire day while I drink my soup de Ajiaco.

[@jimbarrack]

I'm in zombie land California....haha 😄

[@TheRobinhoodtexas]

Damm liberal and democrats and the people that vote for them are all zombies

[@danieldelalikomlatettetett9495]

Good feeling. Lovely. Fela Kuti great Nigeria show guy

[@Viktor-wj7kx]

Tómalo, temazo! I can´t stop move my body with this song

[@IamRaphayo]

the legend being legendary

[@blackempressxempressdevine5658]

Fela the ZOMBIES are still here killing our ppl one just killed a black man in Brazil 🇧🇷 . ZOMBIES EVERYWHERE XX LOVE YOU FELA XX

[@igwezetoritseju2117]

Zombies in uniform

[@okeziefugwu7890]

I really appreciate what he FELA has done for we all

[@The_Mimewar]

TV on the Radio sent me, and I’m so so so happy they did!

[@johntakyi-bondzie5562]

This guy was a genius. Indeed we have lost galaticos.

[@rbfamilytv1920]

Non of your children even start from where you stop, rip hero 🙏

[@oseisiribuor4521]

What about Femi, or is he Remi?

[@jacoba1570]

Times have changed amigo

[@HapArchery0183]

Remind me playing Gta IV. Order!!!

[@HapArchery0183]

@Ruairi Actually, No, His son, Femi instead. Two of Fela's song on GTA, This is one of them.

[@kamrynrist6049]

came here after someone recommended me some Afrobeat, and thought the song sounded familiar. Now I know why.

[@celtiberian07]

I trained my cat Gwendolyn to dance to this song. She loved fela

[@porteriecedres7269]

BABA FOREVER

[@400rocc]

I love this !!!

[@cocopops4974]

Damn wtf they killed his mother by throwing her out of a window I didn’t know that wtf that’s messed up

[@igwezetoritseju2117]

Omo when i heard it ehh I was disappointed at Nigerian government. But at the same time what did i expect from them? She was an activist like him and was giving them problem too But to think of what they did to a 77 year old woman Heartless people

[@olamideolori6171]

Miss you

[@davewilliams1094]

Fantastic energy

[@adeoluwadaniel4555]

Evergreen 🌲

[@keithlisaarmstrong5097]

Yes it's my favorite song of today😃😄😀😃😃😃😄😃

[@Ella-ov2pj]

I Love Zombies🤑

[@johnnyjohn5440]

This song is really funny. 😂😅😅😅

[@haylerenriquecoronellbarri7813]

Me remonta a la época de niño escuchar en los pickups y los bailes de verbena esta obra maestra, ya después la colocaban en las emisoras de radios en “Domingos de verbena” tremenda mezcla de jazz, funk, soul, y africano que Dios a la creación del “Afrobeat” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥😍😍

[@marcelluswhyte9015]

A true 'rude boy'.

[@dickwans]

Na joro jah ra joro!

[@thabiso_young_slayer]

Grand Theft Auto IV. If any game junkie heard this song.

[@StevenNigro421]

*IF99*

[@isleofyew1]

Myself minus 40 years = Fela Kuti crazy.

[@jayskywalker5049]

I LIVE IN ZOMBIE LAND U.S.A......LONG!! LIVE!!! FELA!!!!!!!

[@alexevans2061]

G.O.A.T💪💪

[@barbarabartolotti9475]

ORDER!

[@marihermosilla485]

Recien lei su biografia...que musico tan valiente...❤❤❤

[@gregddown72]

Gta 4 fans thank you if99 station

[@laddiyoussoufkeita5896]

Paix a son âme

[@jesusgutierrezhispania5273]

ORDER!!

[@dennism4812]

Heart of Stone brought me here!

[@Jeffkb1986]

Real talk 💯🙏🏼

[@glue80]

Heart of Stone took me here..

[@UNISNOUSVAINCRONS1858]

Thanks to Pr Franklin Nyamsi Wa Kamerun. Thanks to him I came across this beautiful song.

[@MrCamparisafari]

this and bob marley and the wailers war, the anthems , war, pestilence, famine, greed and zombie behaviours, dance yourself clean, love 1 another , sick o the bumbeeerrrrclarrts

[@diy.loverr6655]

Muziek genre gekenmerkt door complexere ritmes, koertjes en blazers. Geweldig!

[@ГогВан-с8х]

Zombie zombie oo

[@chiomaiberi7088]

❤❤❤

[@alecboley9238]

joro jara joro

[@amanforoliver2567]

Coude musique

[@bmuhamad]

Attention!

[@juliusamarushakur48]

Ordeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrr

[@barthelemyferreri9043]

Fela Kuti ❤❤💕💕

[@Charly_Z]

My track

[@clintonazamos3897]

👌🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@StevenNigro421]

*IF99 International Funk* *GTA IV* *Driving around Broker* *Still Playing Niko In 2024*

[@Gianfranco_69]

They done Fela soooo wrong.. i meet young Nigerians today who dont even recognise the name SHAMEFUL...

[@yaokevinbessoukpeglo7195]

So Wanna be starting something Michael jackson was taken here “ FELA ”

[@RzCapone]

what?

[@niyiadewuyi2927]

True man. You are sharp

[@umarudoma1811]

Heart of Stone 2023 brought me here 🐹🐹 anyone?

[@mad-gre-ekaekog2170]

Am Greek and I say this I grew up listening to my step d music fela was a ginius

[@Bram25]

Horrible! 🙄😒 You do not edit Fela to 7 minutes. Full track or nothing at all.

[@luisfernandolopez9794]

Grand Theft Auto IV (4) The Original and rip to Fela Kuti

[@thomassaliba3950]

mort aux vaches (death to zombies, policemens, corrupted persons)

[@kinganthony653]

🇳🇬

[@h7opolo]

mythos creature songs

[@Gtasplayer]

zombi no gusta soltera

[@musicalfox4435]

Hmmmm Just one flaw Fela is dead

[@marsel769]

Tf is wrong with you???

[@babyzi3166]

Are you mad

[@bubbleyum2555]

Fela lives!