Fela’s 1989 song, Beasts of No Nation was a massive hit song which spoke against Nigerian current President Muhammadu Buhari regime. During his 1983-1985 military regime, Muhammadu Buhari earned a reputation as a human rights violator due to the restrictive policies and harsh punishments enacted under Decree No. 4, also known as Protection Against False Accusations. Under this decree, critical journalists were arrested and imprisoned for their outspoken views, leading to widespread criticism from the public and international community alike.
One notable victim of this crackdown was Fela Kuti, one of the most influential musicians in history, widely recognised for his catchy beats and poetic lyrics, the famous Nigerian musician who was arrested and later imprisoned in 1984 for his music of resistance. In 1989, Fela released a protest song Beasts of No Nation. His powerful protest song resonated with many Nigerians who were fed up with the oppressive nature of Buhari’s regime, and it helped to cement his reputation as a dictator unwilling to tolerate dissent or criticism. Despite Fela’s charismatic persona and immense musical talent, he ultimately became one of many victims of Buhari’s suppressive tactics.
See also: Afrobeat and Hip-hop origins from Africa, rich history of music and dance
Although the pioneer of Afrobeat Fela is late, his legacy lives on through his music, which speaks to people from all walks of life and resonates with anyone who has experienced hardship or injustice. Fela’s poignant song “Beasts of No Nation” is a perfect example of this, as it speaks to the trials faced by those also living in war-torn areas. But Fela always maintained a certain level of optimism even in such dark times, reminding the listeners that they must not be cowed by these “beasts of no nation.”
Through his music, Fela provides encouragement to the listeners not to lose hope and to firmly stand their ground in the face of adversity. For those who truly appreciate Fela’s message and especially for fans of “Beasts of No Nation,” there can be no doubt that Fela Kuti remains one of the greatest musicians ever known.
