Music must awaken people to do their duty as citizens and act.
Fela KutiRead
The rhythm, the sounds, the tonality, the chord sequences, the individual effect of each instrument and each section of the band - I'm talking about a whole continent in my music.
Interpretation
Fela Kuti expresses how his music embodies the essence and diversity of his cultural background.
In this quote, Fela Kuti highlights the intricate elements of his music, such as rhythm, sounds, and chord sequences, emphasizing that they collectively represent a rich tapestry of cultural heritage. He articulates that through these musical components, he conveys the depth and vibrancy of an entire continent, showcasing how music can serve as a powerful medium for cultural expression.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of cultural representation in the arts.
Music must awaken people to do their duty as citizens and act.
I'm playing deep African music.
The art, the greatness of the music, the experience of the music is what I'm about. I think most African artists have destroyed their artistry by commercialization, and I don't want to belong to that bag.
The human spirit is stronger than any government or institution.
My message was 'Think African. Make schools read African history.'
Music is a weapon of the future / music is the weapon of the progressives / music is the weapon of the givers of life
Authors and actors and artists and such - Never know nothing, and never know much.
The artist is chosen by God to fulfill his commands and must never be overwhelmed by public opinion.
I developed a passion for the Middle Ages the same way some people develop a passion for coconuts.
To see something spectacular and recognise it as a photographic possibility is not making a very big leap. But to see something ordinary, something you’d see every day, and recognize it as a photographic possibility - that is what I am interested in.
You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.
Great art is never produced for its own sake. It is too difficult to be worth the effort.
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