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Legendary singer Fela Kuti wins major Grammy

Fela Kuti record

The legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys. He becomes the first African to be given the award. It is presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognise outstanding achievements in music. Kuti died in 1997, but he left behind an amazing legacy. Kuti's daughter, Yeni, told Al Jazeera that the award was "better late than never". She said "we still have a way to go" to recognise musicians from Africa. She added her father didn't care about awards. She said: "He played music because he loved music. It was to be acknowledged by his people – by human beings, by fellow artists - that made him happy."

Fela Kuti, born in 1938, was a visionary. He was a singer, musician, and bandleader. He revolutionized African music and global protest culture. He pioneered the Afrobeat music genre. This mixed traditional Yoruba rhythms, jazz, and funk to make a powerful, hypnotic sound. He was an amazing live performer. He toured the world in the 1960s to 1980s. His concerts were a celebration of rhythm, African identity, freedom, and resistance. Fela fought against corruption, military dictatorship, and colonial influence in Nigeria. Because of this, he was arrested, beaten, and imprisoned. However, his influence on African and international music is still alive today, especially through modern Afrobeat.

Chat

Talk about these words from the article.

/ musician / achievement / award / music / legacy / late human beings / happy / visionary / protest culture / music genre / rhythm / jazz / freedom / corruption

True / False

1) Fela is the second African to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. T / F

2) The award is presented by a recording academy in Switzerland. T / F

3) The article says Fela left behind an amazing legacy. T / F

4) Fela's daughter said Fela played music because it was relaxing. T / F

5) The article says Fela revolutionized global protest culture. T / F

6) Fela combined many kinds of music to make a hypnotic sound. T / F

7) Fela was beaten and put in prison because of his political actions. T / F

8) The article says Fela's influence on music is disappearing. T / F

Discussion

1) What do you think about what you read?

2) What musicians do you think are visionary?

3) Why do we all like different kinds of music?

4) What do you think of using music to protest?

5) Who do you think is amazing live?

6) What do you think of Fela for fighting corruption?

7) What three words best describe Fela Kuti?

8) What questions would you like to ask a music legend?