Fela Kuti Music is the Weapon is a captivating and enlightening documentary that delves into the life and legacy of the renowned Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The film seamlessly blends footage of Kuti’s electrifying performances at his Shrine nightclub with intimate interviews and behind-the-scenes glimpses of life at his Kalakuta Republic compound.
One of the most striking elements of the film is the striking visual style, with the vibrant colors of Lagos street life perfectly capturing the energy and spirit of Kuti’s music. The film also does a masterful job of highlighting the political context in which Kuti’s music was created, offering a deeper understanding of the social and cultural issues that fueled his revolutionary message.
Perhaps most importantly, Fela Kuti Music is the Weapon serves as an important historical document, capturing Kuti in both his stage and home environments, and providing a window into the life of a true musical revolutionary. As Kuti himself said, “music is a weapon of the future / music is the weapon of the progressives / music is the weapon of the givers of life.”
