Viva Nigeria by Fela Kuti

According to Tejumola Olaniyan in his Indiana University Press biography, Arrest the Music! Fela and His Rebel Art and Politics, "Viva Nigeria" turned out to be the composer's "most politically scandalous and compromising composition".

Although it is written in his trademark Afrobeat style, it is not a typical Fela Kuti song. For one thing, he doesn't actually sing but talks throughout, calling for peace, love, and the brotherhood of all Africans, especially his fellow Nigerians. Running to only 3 minutes 45 seconds - very short for him - it was actually recorded in Los Angeles in 1969 during the Biafran War, thus for the casual listener in the next Millennium, its full significance will be far from obvious. >>
Suggestion credit:
Alexander Baron - London, England

Please sign in or register to post comments.

Be the first to comment...

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.