Over the course of his career, Fela Kuti released a massive body of work. It wasn't just the number of albums—Kuti's songs are sprawling jams that often stretch ten minutes or more, the thumping heartbeat of a tireless musician.
But it can be a lot for a new listener to digest. As always, Erykah Badu is here to save us. Her box set spans seven of Fela's releases, and includes a series of personal essays written by Ms. Badu. "Fela Kuti is a fucking genius," Badu said in a statement. "Please listen to these tracks, preferably with a nice blunt."
Her selections include 1980's Coffin For Head of State, Yellow Fever (1976), No Agreement (1977), J.J.D. (Johnny Just Drop) (1977), V.I.P. (1979), Army Arrangement (1984), and Underground System (1992).
It's the fourth installment of a series that has included collections curated by Questlove, Brian Eno, and Ginger Baker. Knitting Factory Records will release Badu's box set on December 15. In the meantime, enjoy one of her picks below.
