“Opposite People” by Fela Kuti

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Back to Afrobeat’s classic era, spotlighting one of my absolute favorite Fela Kuti cuts.

According to the eponymous record’s Bandcamp listing, the Fela Kuti estate positions “Opposite People” as an expression of frustration. “His annoyance extends to a person who ruins the fun of a group of people dancing,” the description reads, “or someone who is trying to speak seriously when others are simply enjoying themselves.” Considering how politicized Kuti’s music became in the 1970s, that disposition is more than a little ironic. As Ted Gioia put it in his excellent write-up about Kuti’s classic, “Zombie,” “Has any other recording in history led to the mobilization of a thousand soldiers and a military assault on a musician’s home?”

But, arguably to my benefit, my in-point with the Nigerian trailblazer’s music was never the lyrics. I can appreciate how seismic the cultural shift was after his most famous work gave voices to marginalized groups who previously didn’t have a seat at any meaningful sociopolitical table. However, as a jazz-funk nut, the selling point for Kuti’s records has always been the groove. Sturdy, impressively layered instrumentals that take their time fleshing out every crack and crevice of the soundstage. As bandleader and primary vocalist, he becomes the shark in Jaws—his unseen presence drives the atmosphere and tension by making the listener wait a good 10 minutes before his on-mic arrival. If it’s your first time experiencing that simmering build-up, I envy you.

With Afrobeat and amapiano gaining global momentum through recent pop crossover success, it’s important to circle back to artists like Kuti and the many talented musicians he worked with over the years, out of the respect if nothing else. Since his passing in 1997 from AIDS-related complications, his discography has influenced everything from neo-soul and hip-hop to deep house and Afrofuturism. He did it his way, without censorship or bending backward to accommodate his detractors. Instead, he concentrated on what mattered to him and his supporters—fueling steamy, all-night dance sessions with conscious, allied connection.

In such divisive times, we need Fela’s music and legacy more than ever.

PS: The following video is my favorite performance of “Opposite People,” featuring Fela’s son Seun, who’s an excellent jazz musician in his own right.