WKCR announces a 24-hour birthday celebration for Fela Kuti, broadcast on FM and HD radio and online all day on Monday, October 16th. The special broadcast will run from the beginning of The Celtic Show until the end of Caribe Latino. The broadcast will preempt all regularly-scheduled Monday shows. Owing to the 24-hour Ragas Live broadcast that will interfere with Fela Kuti’s actual birthday, October 15th, this broadcast will air the day after his birthday.

Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician and a political activist who pioneered and revolutionized the world of Afrobeat music. Born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Fela began his music career in the late 1950s, initially influenced by the genres jazz and highlife. Soon, however, he found his unique footing and developed his signature sound, Afrobeat, which is at once an artful blend of elements of jazz, funk, and traditional African rhythms and something entirely new. Both beyond and embedded into his formidable music career was his status as a fearless critic of the Nigerian government and an advocate in the fight against corruption and human rights abuses in his country. Many of his songs featured sharp political commentary, which would lead him into trouble with the Nigerian authorities.

Fela Kuti's musical career was marked by an output of over 50 albums, including iconic records like "Zombie" and "Expensive Shit.” He typically sang, played saxophone, or played keyboard, but he also dabbled in a host of other instruments. His performances were legendary for their energy and often lasted for hours, featuring his band, Africa 70, and a stage presence that captivated and charmed audiences despite the long runtimes. His unwavering dedication to fighting oppression along with an incredible musical career cements him as a towering figure in the history of music and political resistance–both in Africa and the world at large.