Fela Anikulapo Kuti would be 75 today. The Nigerian master-musician died of AIDS in 1997, but his legacy is on the rise today. Both of his sons, Femi and Seun Kuti, enjoy international fame, and thanks to the afrobeat revival led by bands such as Antibalas (not to mention the Fela! on Broadway show) many people have became aware of the legend for the first time. Of course, for anyone who’s dipped a toe into the ultra-voluminous Kuti catalog knows, the sheer amount of music that Fela recorded during his career is mind boggling. So, to pay tribute to Fela, we’ve decided to point your attention to five lesser-known Fela tunes that may have slipped through your musical net! This a non-chronological selection, jumping between the legendary Africa 70 with Tony Allen behind the drums, and the less dynamic but more orchestral Africa 80 of the later years.

Fela is still being highly revered in many quarters even after 16 years. From Paul McCartney, Common, to Merill Garbus, George Clinton and Brian Eno; they have all not stop singing the praise of this maestro and afrobeat innovator. In the spirit of such a day, Infonubia would want to highlight some of Fela's classics (all his songs were definitely classics though).

1.“Ikoyi Mentality vs. Mushin Mentality” is a song that seeks to criticize the varying social classes of the Lagos society; while Ikoyi represented the rich, Mushin represented the poor. On this track you would appreciate such interpolation of the saxophone, trumpets and the Organ.

2. Fela recorded two songs with very similar themes and lyrics, “Confusion” the B side from 1975′s hit “Gentleman,” with the great Tony Allen and Africa 70. With an introduction which one could easily mistaken for a british orchestra performance, later on in the song; it develops into a groovy afrobeat rendition.

3.”C.B.B. (Confusion Break Bones),” the B side of “O.D.O.O.,” is from 1989, with the Egypt 80. Both songs are about the notorious dangers of traffic in Lagos, taking traffic as a microcosmic metaphor for the confusion and disorder in Nigerian society in general. An untypical slow melody of loping 6/8 rhythm is a rarity in Fela’s catalogue. "Panpala, bo lo oya"

4.Original Sufferhead,” released in 1982 with “I.T.T.,” is arguably one of Fela’s masterworks, tying together musical and political themes from across his career. The Egypt 80 has a very live feel here, clearly directed by Fela’s shouted commands and rolling organ. He breaks down the four basic needs of humanity as “Water, Light, Food, House,” and discusses how the Nigerian state fails to deliver these basic needs.

5. “Coffin For Head Of State,” released in 1980 with “Unknown Soldier,” has such a gorgeous bass-line. The song is one of Fela’s very poignant, very angry responses to the attack on the Kalakuta Republic that resulted in the death of his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. He also criticizes religion on this track as he speaks of how religious leaders live in luxury while members live in poverty. The band here is still the Africa 70, though the toned down, simplistic style of the rhythm section predates the Egypt 80 sound.

The umbrella of influence of "Fela Anikulapo-Kuti" transcends genres, borders, continents and generations; through the years, we have seen shades of his vision and aesthetics pop up in American hip-hop ( JayZ, Jcole and Common), political activism, underground music, Afropop, human rights campaigns and plenty other. This man definitely deserves to be celebrated maybe not directly in lifestyle but at least by the level of inspiration his music delivers.

All the songs above can be found on YouTube.

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