*To commence Black History Month 2026 in the United States, it is fitting to celebrate the enduring legacy of Fela Kuti, a pioneering figure in global Afrobeat whose roots trace back to Lagos, Nigeria. Fela Kuti became a powerful advocate for the Nigerian populace during periods of military rule.
In one tragic incident, his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was forcibly removed from their residence by soldiers and thrown from a second-story window, ultimately succumbing to her injuries the following year. Fela memorialised this event in his music, notably in the song where he lamented, “Dem kill my mama” (They killed my mother).
During my school years, our bus route often passed by Kalakuta Republic—Fela’s residence—and I occasionally saw him on his balcony. Both his home and the renowned Afrika Shrine nightclub served as significant cultural landmarks.
My engagement with Fela’s artistry began in 1989 when I featured him in OUR ROOTS, a weekly newspaper column published in London. I later attended what would be his final concert in London at the Brixton Academy, now known as the O2 Academy; attending as a visual journalist was a unique privilege.
Whilst atBaptist Academy Lagos, I met Femi Kuti, Fela’s son. Fela’s influence has shaped my work over the years and is evident in projects like Burna Boy’s “YE” video, where I contributed art showcasing Fela.
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As Bob Marley brought reggae to the international stage, Fela introduced Afrobeat to the world. Twenty-eight years after his passing,
Fela Kuti continues to break new ground, having received a posthumous Grammy recognition, an honour celebrated in the presence of his family at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, which took place on 1st February at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, established in 1962, recognizes performers who have made exceptional artistic contributions to the recording industry over their lifetimes. The first recipient was Bing Crosby in 1963. 2026 is the centennial of Black History Month. OUR ROOTS honours people who have made significant contributions to global history. History cannot be erased.
TAYO Fatunla is a British Nigerian comic artist, editorial cartoonist, writer, and illustrator whose work has featured on MSN.com via EURweb.com. He created the “OUR ROOTS” series, highlighting Black history figures, earning the 2018 ECBACC Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award. A former cartoonist for Nigerian newspapers, he was named Professional Creative Cartoonist of the Year at the 2024 Annual Achievement Recognition Awards (The Building Blocks Initiative, UK). He also illustrated Camberwell’s public Black history walk map. https://www.instagram.com/tfatunla123
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