Jad Abumrad hosts "Fela Kuti, Fear No Man," Chapter 2, "Becoming Fela," exploring the transformation of Fela Kuti into the iconic figure he became. The episode pieces together Fela's early life, from his middle-class upbringing and classical music studies in London to his initial struggles with jazz in Nigeria. It highlights the influence of James Brown's music on the African continent and Fela's initial foray into Latin-influenced highlife music. A pivotal moment arrives with Fela's U.S. tour, where he meets Sandra Isidore, who introduces him to Black liberation movements and the writings of Malcolm X. This encounter profoundly shifts Fela's perspective, leading him to create Afrobeat, a genre blending African rhythms, jazz, and funk, with politically charged lyrics. The episode culminates with the success of Fela's new sound in Lagos, marking the beginning of his revolutionary musical journey.
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