Fela Kuti, born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti on October 15, 1938, in Abeokuta, Nigeria, was a pioneering musician and activist who created the Afrobeat genre—a fusion of jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional African rhythms. Educated at London's Trinity College of Music, he returned to Nigeria in the 1960s, forming bands like Koola Lobitos and later Africa '70. Kuti's politically charged lyrics, exemplified in songs like "Zombie," criticized governmental corruption and oppression, leading to frequent confrontations with authorities. Despite numerous arrests and personal hardships, he released over 50 albums, leaving an indelible mark on global music and activism. Kuti passed away on August 2, 1997, but his legacy endures, inspiring generations of artists and social movements worldwide. ([britannica.com](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fela-Kuti?utm_source=openai))