Rolling Stone Music Now Introducing - Fela Kuti: Fear No Man
Oct 24, 2025
Join Sandra Isidore, a pivotal figure in Fela Kuti’s life, as she shares her journey with the legendary Nigerian musician. Discover how Fela went from a classically trained artist to the Afrobeat pioneer using music as a weapon against oppressive regimes. Sandra reflects on her role in Fela’s political awakening, introducing him to the harsh realities of American racism. Their dynamic also reveals the fusion of cultures that shaped Fela’s revolutionary sound, transforming personal pain into powerful music for change.
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James Brown Rewired African Taste
- James Brown's mid-60s shift amplified African elements that resonated powerfully in West Africa.
- That returned, transformed sound helped redirect young musicians away from highlife toward funk and soul.
The Struggling U.S. Tour
- Kula Lobitos toured the U.S. in 1969 but ran out of money and visas by the time they reached Los Angeles.
- They struggled for gigs, faced deportation fears, and even failed a Disneyland audition.
Meeting That Changed Music Forever
- Sandra Isidore met Fela Kuti at a Hollywood Gardens party in 1969 and their eyes “locked” instantly.
- She later hosted him in her parents' home where he wrote songs and they shared political books and conversations.
