Quotes from Fela Kuti

An African man should not do anything called housework or cooking.

Even death doesn't worry me, man. When my mother died it was because she finished her time on earth. I know that when I die I'll see her again, so how can I fear death?

Without Tony Allen, there would have been no Afrobeat.

I believe in pan-Africanism. This means that in many things - the judiciary, sports, economics and trade - we want Africanism to be involved, which is basically more freedom for the people.

In Nigeria they convict by law, not by the truth

I've suffered quite a lot, to the point where I've experienced death. Years before I wasn't fit to die, but I understand life better now. Death is nice, death is beauty.

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

Classical music gives musicians a kick. But African music gives everyone a kick.

American record companies seem to feel I am antiwestern, anticapitalism, anti the kind of society they like. They think I'm a troublemaker.

If I became president now I would immediately pass a law that makes every citizen a policeman or a soldier.

I don't tell lies about anybody. That's why i win all my wars.

America needs to hear some good sounds from Africa, man. The sanity of the world is going to be generated from Africa through art.

In America we talk about South Africa, but I tell people that apartheid is nothing compared to what is happening in my country where black oppresses black.

If a female wants to do a man's job, no one will stop her from doing it, but women have duties to perform as mothers.

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

A police uniform is just a piece of clothing sewn by the same tailors who sew your clothes.

The African mind has a lot to contribute, not only to world understanding of the arts, but to an understanding of spiritualism. That is the contribution Africa will make to the world of the future - an injection of sanity into the environment of the universe itself.

It's crazy; in the States, people think the black power movement drew inspiration from Africa. All these Americans come over here looking for awareness. They don't realize they're the ones who've got it over there.

I think I'm going to lead my people one day. I'm sure of it.

The human spirit is stronger than any government or institution.

When I was young we weren't even allowed to speak our own languages in school. They called it 'vernacular,' as if only English was the real tongue.

By the time I finished school, I found out I wasn't qualified to study anything but music.

I hold death in my pouch, I cannot die.

Music must awaken people to do their duty as citizens and act.