Fela Kuti: Fear No Man 1: To Hell and Back
Oct 15, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Dele Shosemi, a Nigerian-born keyboardist who played with Fela Kuti's Egypt 80, shares his transformative journey. He vividly recounts meeting Fela and the profound impact of that encounter on his life. Dele delves into the harrowing night of his father's murder, Fela's surprising empathy, and how music became a source of healing for him. He also highlights the intense rehearsal culture in Fela's band and the unique way performances became an engaging dialogue with the audience.
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Music As Political Force
- Fela Kuti fused music and political resistance to create Afrobeat that moves both body and mind.
- His work shows art can mobilize feelings into collective, political power across cultures.
A Childhood Trauma That Catalyzed Devotion
- At 12, Dele watched his father, a bank auditor, return home after a violent night and later find him brutally murdered by attackers.
- That trauma shaped Dele's life and later drew him to Fela's music and care.
Fela's Personal Care Changed a Life
- Fela asked Dele how his family was coping and offered to fight for them, suggesting therapy and unpaid leave for his mother.
- That personal attention transformed Dele, who vowed to follow Fela "to hell and back."