Fela Kuti was (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti) on 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997). Also known as Fela Anikulapo Kuti or simply Fela, he was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, musician, composer, pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre, human rights activist, and political maverick.Fela Kuti was (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti) on 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997). Also known as Fela Anikulapo Kuti or simply Fela, he was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, musician, composer, pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre, human rights activist, and political maverick.