Fela Kuti, Africa 70 – Zombie

Zombie (1976) is one of Fela Kuti’s most powerful and politically charged albums, performed with his legendary band Africa 70. Built around hypnotic Afrobeat rhythms, intricate horn arrangements, and relentless groove, the record delivers a fierce critique of Nigeria’s military regime. The title track, “Zombie,” uses biting satire to compare soldiers to mindless followers, marching to commands without thought or question. Its pulsing basslines, call-and-response vocals, and extended instrumental passages capture Fela’s mastery of both musical complexity and social commentary. The album’s impact was immense — musically, it stands among Fela’s finest achievements, and politically, it was incendiary. Following its release, the Nigerian government retaliated violently, raiding his compound and attacking his community. Yet Zombie endures as a symbol of defiance and artistic courage, its rhythms as vital today as they were nearly fifty years ago. It remains one of the most essential statements in global music history — fearless, unrelenting, and revolutionary in every sense.

Reviews

“Zombie is Fela Kuti at his fiercest — musically transcendent and politically uncompromising.” – Pitchfork

“A blistering masterpiece that grooves as hard as it protests.” – Rolling Stone

“One of the greatest political albums ever made — furious, funny, and unstoppable.” – The Guardian