The Essential Fela Playlist
Three factors position a music artist in the realm of legends, and they include: (1) Memorability - achieved through a song’s ability to capture an audience, and it’s retainability in the memory. (2) Currency - achieved through a song’s relevance to the listener’s lived reality at every given time. (3) Individuality- achieved through an artist’s uniqueness and departure from the musical norm. And of course, the intentional value added to the listenership.
In this month of Fela’s birth, his position as a a legendary artist remains unchallenged. He lives on through his music. I did state in the previous post that listening to him is a serious matter. His lyricism illuminates the mind and fosters mental integrity. Anyone, in my humble view, who has issues with Fela’s music themes, probably suffers from a cognitive dissonance.
Cognitive dissonance emerges from a disconnection from reality. You know, when a wife is severely battered by her husband, and she tells all and sundry that he is the best thing after sliced bread. You know, when a man is severely ill, instead of seeking a cure, he believes religious rituals of prayers and fasting would yield a relief. You know when people are told fables and stories with no empirical evidence, but they gulp and defend it with their whole being, without questions or proof. In essence, the visible becomes unreal while the invisible becomes the accepted reality. That is cognitive dissonance for you!
So, why is Fela relevant? He represents bravery, courage, fearlessness, fortitude and integrity. These qualities are required to question a set tradition of physical, spiritual, socioeconomic and psychological oppression. I remember vividly how he was often villified by the Nigerian society. His music was never accorded airplay on the radio because as they said “ He is crazy”. I found the “crazy” man pretty intriguing and highly cerebral. And came to understand that the societal resistance militating against him arose from the weaponization of fear upon the collective mind. The fear of the truth! The acceptance of the truth dissolves cognitive dissonance.
Fela was a rare breed and the world suffers from a paucity of fearless men who can explicitly express wisdom and implement justice for the common good.
His songs are hardly linear and mostly multi-themed, in essence, they explore several issues in one swell swoop. The following is a list of favourites.
"Army Arrangement" (1985).
2. "Beast of No Nation" (1989).
3. "Coffin for Head of State" (1981).
4. "Colonial Mentality" (1977).
5."Confusion" (1975).
6. "Confusion Break Bone (C.B.B) “ (1990).
7. "Dog Eat Dog" (1977).
8. "Gentleman" (1973).
9. "International Thief Thief (I.T.T)" (1979).
10. "Johnny Just Drop (J.J.D)" (1977).
11. "Lady" (1972).
12. "Mister Follow Follow" (1977).
13. "No Agreement" (1977).
14. "Overtake Don Overtake Overtake (O.D.O.O)" (1980).
15. "Roforofo Fight" (1972).
16. "Shakara (Oloje)" (1972).
17. "Shuffering and Shmiling" (1978).
18. "Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense" (1986).
19. "Unknown Soldier" (1979).
20. "Yellow Fever" (1976).
21. "Zombie" (1977).
Disclaimer: The songs on this page belong to Fela’s family and serve the purpose of enlightenment and entertainment. Please support them through your subscription.
