'Who loves ya baby?' - Why the artist is a special thing...

At the moment I am researching the life and music of the Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti for a narrative I am developing that is partly set in 1970s Lagos. The narrative has underlying themes relating to political and social emancipation and Kuti, the creator of Afrobeat, used his music as a platform from which to protest against the endemic corruption that was serving to oppress the people of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. 

Fela was well educated and articulate, particularly on the relationship between art and politics:

‘...As an artist, politically, artistically, the whole idea about your environment must be represented in the  music... Art is about what is a happening at a particular time... So, I think, as far as Africa is concerned, music cannot be for enjoyment. It has to be for revolution.’

He wrote music and lyrics that challenged conventional wisdom, corruption and state sponsored brutality; the writer, as an artist, is indeed special.

The song posted here is Zombie (1976) and an example of Fela's passion, talent and credentials as a politically active and revolutionary artist. The 'Zombies' referred to in the lyrics are the Nigerian army - blindly following orders to brutalise and intimidate their own people. It is also just an incredible piece of musicianship.