"omi olota
water e no get enemy"
(instrumentals)
This is one notable piece from the legend, the super hero of afro-beat, Fela Anikulapokuti- abami eda. I have a full collection of fela's songs as i adore his philosophy,lyrical compositions and mind blowing african rhythm. If i am not sounding heretic i worship fela's beats- he is an inspiration to my "musical inclinations". Fela's songs shaped my appreciation for music. He was one of those artiste i grew up listening to. Think of those early saturday mornings when father would place his record (old school disc plate) on the turn table and we rocked to the soothing rhythm.
Even as a teenager i remember those days when we locked ourselves up in the room singing along and miming every word of fela's lyrics. I have now confirmed that i love nigerian music than anyother brand, style or genre of music and for this reason i hold a rich library of nigerian music,i guard them jealously and secretly. Do not get me wrong i love wyclef,will smith, lauryn hill, india arie, fergie,alicia keys and other artistes from other continents but don't try my passion for the home goomed naija breeds from the old to the new school.
Recently i got the amazement of my life....i listened to jay-z's new hits and found out that he had sampled fela's beat in no small measure-it was shocking,confusing and maybe excitng to hear.I mean baba's songs have been remixed by an american rapper of "repute".I felt some thing different, a feeling that our cultural artifacts have been stolen once again! On the other hand i appreciate the fact that other cultures are depending on nigeria for their creativity. I wonder what dede mabiaku, kola ogunkoya, alariwo, seyi sologbade, lagbaja and many other afro-beat artistes would be thinking now:
"we didin't even go this far
na who give this yeye jay-z and mike love right
to sample baba song?
Who give them chance? femi or seun!"
Well i saw the rat in the cupboard when talib kweli (another american rapper) produced his video in nigeria and particularly shot a bulk of his footage at the african shrine. He must have gone ahead to do some tatafo for jay-z. Jay-z and co-conspirator mike love didnt take it easy,they sampled not one not two no three of fela's songs; they went all the way... check out the tracklisting and the Fela samples used.
1. Intro "Army Arrangement" from, the Best Of Fela Kuti (2000)"VIP" from, VIP (1979)
2. Pray "Sorrow Tears And Blood" from, the Best Of Fela Kuti (2000)
3. American Dreaming"Upside Down" from Album, Upside Down (1976)
4. Hello Brooklyn"Mistake" from Live! (With Ginger Baker), (1971)
5. No Hook"Ariya" from album, Roforofo Fight/The Fela Singles (1972) (2006)
6. Roc Boys"Water No Get Enemy" from, Expensive Shit, (1975)"Mop / movement of the people" from Live in Amsterdam (1984). "Stop The Violence" from, By Any Means Necessary-BDP (1988)
7. Sweet "My Lady Frustration" The'69, Los Angeles Sessions (1993)
8. I Know "Confusion" from, Confusion (1975)
9. Party Life"Viva Nigeria" from, The Los Angeles Sessions '69, (1993)
10. Ignorant Shit "Fear Not For Man" from, Stalemate (1977),
11. Say Hello "Coffin For Head Of State" from, the Best Of Fela Kuti (2000)"Mr. Grammarticalologylisatitiona Is The Boss" Monkey Banana, (1976)
12. Success "Swegbe And Pako" from, Open & Close (1971)
13. Falling "Mattress" from, Noise For Vendor Mouth (1975)
14. Blue Magic"Water No Get Enemy" from, Expensive Shit, (1975)
15. American Gangster "Kalakuta Show" from, Kalakuta Show (1976) "Wayo" The'69, Los Angeles Sessions (1993)
Wetin man go do now? when jay-z has done a tight sample of fela's song. what is the significance of this in the socio-cultural scene, does it validate that notion that nigerian has what it takes to evolve as a world leader in different spheres of life?does it mean we are been exploited? does it mean there are no versatile and creative writers to adapt blasts from the past? do we have to wait for people like wyclef,akon to remix obey and sunny ade's songs before we realize that there is a lot potential in those archives that we label rusty?
