Fela Kuti

"Zombie" by Fela Kuti from Zombie (1977)

In a dangerous attack of the Nigerian military, Fela Kuti compares Nigerian soldiers to zombies in that they are brainless slaves, doing whatever they are told. This record left Kuti in hot water as the military did not take the attack lightly; Kuti's compound as raided by Nigerian soldiers who proceeded to beat him nearly to death. His mother was then thrown out a window, resulting in her death.

Fela Kuti was the pioneer of afrobeat and an outspoken political activist who supported socialism and a democratic Africa, but, most importantly, demanded that human rights be recognized for his people. "Zombie" is exemplary afrobeat music, bringing together all of the elements (jazzy big band, political agenda, funk, etc.) that the genre is known for.