1. “My name is Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Black president or Chief Priest of Shrine.”

Fela’s introduction of himself.

2. “I must identify myself with Africa. Then I will have an identity.”

How he came up with Afro-beat.

3. “With my music, I create change…I am using my music as a weapon.”

Fela’s thoughts on his music.

4. Name?
Fela.
Just Fela?
Yeah, jus’ Fela.
Address?
My house.
Where?
Right here, in Surulere, man, yeah!”

A conversation between Fela and the police officer who ‘checked’ him in at Alagbon Close police station, the very first time Fela was arrested.

5. “A radical is he who has no sense…fights without reason…I have a reason. I am authentic. Yes, that’s what I am.”

His response to the question; would you call yourself a radical?

6. “You no go do so again, you no go come back again, inside barracks you go dey…you go dey where you belong.”

His ‘dream’ that the military, deter from seizing political power.

7. “Sufferhead must go. Jeffahead must come.”

Further dreams on politics.

8. “Alutta continua…alutta continua, no! it must not continue. The struggle must STOP!”.

Still ‘dreaming’

9. “Bleaching of the body to look lighter is immoral.”

Asserting his views on skin lightening.

10. “After all, the military do not just dance to my music, they march to it too.”

Fela’s sarcasm on a possible reason for the love-hate relationship between the Nigerian military and himself.

11. “Pastor dress na him dey clean pass e hard for my people dem to buy soap” (in Ofin head of state)

12. “So so water for Africa,water underground,water overland…water for man to drink for town e no dey” (in Original sufferhead)

13. “All the problems for this world,na him we carry for head for Africa”
(In Teacher no teach me nonsense)

14. To be spiritual is not by praying and going to church. Spiritualism is the understanding of the universe so that it can be a better place to live in.”

Fela’s explanation on one of his anti-Christian views.

15. Sex is a gift of nature. Why do men make laws to check it? A law telling you where to Bleep and another telling you when to Bleep.”

Fela’s views on why he likes having ‘unlimited access’ when it comes to sexual intercourse.

16. “…When I was first put in jail, the name of my prison cell was ‘Kalakuta’, and Republic? I wanted to identify myself with someone who didn’t agree with the Federal Republic of Nigeria…I was in non-agreement.”

Fela, on how he came up with the name; Kalakuta Republic, for his abode.

17. “I want peace. Happiness. Not only for myself. For everybody.”

One of his life ambitions.

18. “…not at all. You know what I want? I want the world to change.”

Fela’s reply to the question; Do you want to leave an imprint on the world?

19. “Everything I did wrongly is an experience…to be honest and truthful in all endeavours is an experience, not a regret.”

In response to being asked if he has any regrets.

20. “…man is here against his will. Where do we come from? What was before us?…when you think you die, you’re not dead. Its a transition.”

Fela being philosophical on life and death.

21. “…just want to do my part and leave…Not for what they’re going to remember you for, but for what you believe in as a man.”

Fela’s response on what he would like to be remembered for.

 

Via Nairaland