Afrobeat Elevation: Forwarding Fela’s Creative Vision
Fela Kuti’s muse and Afrolicious band leader Pleasuremaker collaborate to confront racial and social injustice.
By Tomas A. Palermo
At the cusp of the 1970s, artist and activist Sandra Izsadore met a young Nigerian jazz saxophonist and band leader named Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti in Los Angeles. Their friendship blossomed and her Afro-centric social consciousness changed the musician’s creative outlook, opening his repertoire to the power of music as a weapon of change. As Izadore related to the LA Weekly in 2011, she told Kuti, “...you should use your music to educate. You should write songs that have meaning.” And he did. Fela Kuti went on to become the most notable face of Afrobeat, a mix of West African music and American funk, as well as an astutely political artist who rallied the poor in his country and inspired millions worldwide.
The power of Fela’s music has inspired musical stage shows, annual celebrations in his honor and countless bands. Joe McGuire, a.k.a. Pleasuremaker and founder of world fusion band Afrolicious, was so thoroughly taken by Fela’s message and music that he researched every aspect of the artist’s development, including his dealings with Izsadore, whose vocals appears on beloved Fela track “Upside Down.” McGuire eventually connected with Izadore in Los Angeles and the two recorded “Dear World,” a powerful track addressing mass incarceration and racism with straightforward poetic verses and a hypnotic electro-Afrobeat rhythm.
Give a Beat conversed with Izsadore and McGuire in advance of their appearance at A Positive Spin: Remixed, where the two will be performing during our 6:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m. social gathering. The free event takes place at Impact Hub in downtown Los Angeles.
Give a Beat: How did you two become connected?
Sandra: I was just minding my own business when I received an unexpected Facebook message. I didn’t know the man but he said he was feeling wonderful vibes and he had a song he had written for me. I’m a bit of a sceptic because people are always talking about what they can do in appeasement. So I asked him to show me what he’s got and he did. He humbled me. It brought tears to my eyes, especially when that saxophone came in and snatched my heart. And that’s how it started.
I called my husband who was [on the road] with a hip-hop group and said, “you’ve got to hear this.” He loved it. That’s how it started and it hasn’t stopped. I met this young soul, full of energy, and he keeps spittin’ it out. He’s so in the pocket of where I am and what I want to say. I didn’t just meet a soul, I came across one I had met many lifetimes before.
How did you come across Sandra’s work ? Did it involve the track “Upside Down”? What inspired you to reach out to her?
Joe: Sandra and I had common friends on Facebook and that’s how I recognized she was online, so I sent her the message. What Sandra said about us being old souls gave me goosebumps because I feel the same way when we kick it. It’s kinda like we’ve known each other our whole lives.
Of course “Upside Down” is a monumental track, but what’s more is the knowledge of the entire history [of Fela]. I delved into Fela Kuti’s history on a very deep level. It’s so refreshing to kick it with Sandra because she actually lived through [his history]. She’s a major part of it. I’ve re-read the biographies and countless interviews—all the knowledge I have of Afrobeat leads directly to Sandra. She’s completely integral to the creation of the genre.
Fela is hands down my biggest musical influence. After that would be Gil Scott-Heron, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield. They’re all geniuses, but Fela—aside from his music being so powerful and instrumental—stood up for the common man. He made people believe in who they are as individuals. One thing that bothers me greatly is that oppressors will try to take away the dignity of the people. Fela tries to bring some of that dignity back.
How did “Dear World” come about?
Joe: When I sat down to write I fell into a mystical realm, a bright light entered my soul, and the energy guided me. I thought of Fela and how he addressed these issues, created Afrobeat, and [found acclaim] internationally. I thought about Fela’s arc in history and his accomplishments. I don’t believe most people recognize just how much he’s done. As a writer I pay attention to what’s going on in the world around me. I thought about current issues in the world, police brutality, racism, oppression. It all came to me at once. I felt the spirit of Fela and Sandra and it lifted me out of the stratosphere.
What was the next step?
Sandra: We recorded in the basement at the house. When my husband heard Joe’s stuff he recognized his talent as well. I feel I’m the one who received all the cookies. It was spiritual the way it came about , and I’m all in.
“Dear World,” has the repeated refrain “bang bang.” It immediately draws us to the subject at hand – police brutality, gun violence. Describe the creative process around writing this song, and the lyrics in particular?
Joe: People have told me my style of writing is not poetic but I don’t think that is necessary right now. We need to hit the issues straight on. I asked Sandra to edit any language that didn’t flow but she decided to keep it verbatim, adding a monologue at the end. We both just felt it says what it needs to say. Bob Marley and Fela didn’t try to hard, they just said what they needed to say.
Sandra: It was a reality check. If it weren’t not for modern technology the masses would still be like ostriches with their heads in the sand. I like to hit these topics head on. When you consider the American government and how they’ve gone after the Taliban and ISIS it makes me wonder, why haven’t they been able to dismantle the KKK? This is homegrown terrorism! So when you really look at history, look at who the real terrorists are, not the lies they put in the news and history books.
One type of weapon used against the American people is gangster rap. It’s very degrading to woman and it’s negatively programming our children. It seems like a master plan that has been put into play. I believe it’s our responsibility, the musicians responsibility, to spread love and joy and to educate with sound and music.
There was a time here in the U.S. when the record company said the music was too powerful because it was bringing us together. The powers said “hell no we gotta stop this!” and that’s when they brought in this vile music. A good beat can be catchy but then they put their poison into the minds of our youth. I’ve been up close and personal—“incog-negro”—observing the gangster rap camps. They have to take responsibility for the corruption they’ve brought about in this world through their musical content.
I’m above the color line. I’m a humanitarian. When I study the real story and not the “his-story” that was taught to me in school I’m able to discern and say “no,” change must be made. Positive change can be made and more people will become aware of the truth. It’s like a double-edged sword, it can be painful going in and coming out, but lies are more painful. I’d rather deal with truth.
The track also speaks of challenging white supremacy. What needs to be done to dismantle that system?
Sandra: I would suggest is a non-violent approach where you are teaching the truth and not a pack of lies. Then we work toward a positive change collectively. Before you point your finger, make sure you look in the mirror at yourself and be held accountable. That’s the first thing.
Joe: We must look at modern terrorist organizations and politics. If we can’t change politics white supremacy will reign forever. Education is the root of all of this. Can we educate ourselves? How many people are involved with racist policies without knowing?
I think our police policies are a big indicator of the true state of affairs. We’re wasting resources. We spend more money in prisons than schools. The free labor is modern day slavery in prisons. It won’t change until people recognize. Why doesn’t Obama make it a policy that the KKK is an official terrorist organization? That would be a step in the direction.
Sandra: We are backtracking to self destruction. It’s just really sad that we have not learned how to live together. Why are we still here today talking about issues that Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey discussed deades ago? The masses that are being controlled by the one percent who have their investments in the corporations, and the corporations need their modern slave labor. That modern slave labor is the prison colonies. The majority of men [in prison] are black and Latino. We’re like sheep being led to the slaughter. We’re trying to sound the alarm and wake the sleeping giant.
Sandra, what have you been working on creatively in recent years?
Sandra: The Fela musical came about and I was touring around the country. I also started to write my own book; it’s almost complete. You have to walk a very thin line when it comes to telling the truth, when writing about real incidents and people. I’m in the final stages [with the book]. Joe and I also have some very good stuff on the burner.
Joe, you and Sandra are performing at Give a Beat’s West Coast launch event in LA. Why is this event important for you?
Joe: Lauren has her heart in the right place. We’re completely in line with it. My long term goal is to work with youth specifically. I’ve envisioned doing trainings on instruments and production with Ableton Live and ProTools. It’s really important to give back to the kids. Kendrick Lamar talks about rap changing his life. So there’s proof right there that we can help kids get out of bad situations. Hopefully after the launch we can work together often.
For more on Afrolicous, visit http://www.afrolicious.org. Thank you to Jordan Strong for editorial assistance.