59 Quotes by Fela Kuti

Jazz was the beginning of rhythm music, which developed into rock and roll. But what the jazz musicians lost because they were so far from their homeland was the intricate rhythms of African music.

Western music is Bach, Handel and Schubert. It's good music, cleverly done. As a musician, I can see that.

Art itself is knowledge of the spiritual world. Art is information from higher forces, by those who are talented. I'm not jiving.

I've studied my culture deeply and I'm very aware of my tradition.

When I do things, I do things honestly.

The rhythm, the sounds, the tonality, the chord sequences, the individual effect of each instrument and each section of the band - I'm talking about a whole continent in my music.

People thought I was trying to say that women had no say, no rights. I was not saying that. I was saying that women had a role, a duty. When they want to have a say in government - though in Africa they are not expected to do that - they are not discouraged. They can do what they want to do.

Spiritually speaking, every human being has a destiny and a duty to perform.

My ideas are threatening to the government.