Expensive Shit (1975)

by Fela Kuti

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Mohan Thomas Water No Get Enemy is SUCH a good track. Build up to the end is rewarding. Favorite track: Water No Get Enemy.

Clust3r Classic Fela. Great groove for dancing around the kitchen or the dance floor.

Moni Two brilliant Fela classics. Hard to pick a favorite. Favorite track: Expensive Shit.

Nemo Halperin No. Words. Required! Favorite track: Water No Get Enemy.

Jake Timeless. I consider myself very lucky to have this as my first Afrobeat experience. Favorite track: Water No Get Enemy.

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	1.	Expensive Shit 13:13
	2.	Water No Get Enemy 11:00

about

During the early 70’s the Nigerian government and their cronies in the plice department consistently raided Fela’s communal family compound “The Kalakuta Republic”, viewing it as both a social and political threat. In 1974, the police once again invaded Fela’s compound, this time planting a joint on the artist, who promptly swallowed it, destroying any evidence of illegal activity. Fela was arrested, and was held in jail until he could produce a “sample” in order for the evidence to be recovered.

Due to some miraculous help from other prisoners, Fela’s “sample” came back completely clean, and he was released without charges. The experience is recounted in the title track, “Expensive Shit”, in which Fela discusses the lengths the police went to in order to literally examine his shit. The second poetic, organ driven track, “Water Get No Enemy”, derives its name from a Yoruban proverb that instructs on the power of nature. This song is Fela’s encouragement to his fellow Nigerians, saying, essentially, that if you’re working in tune with the universe, nothing can be done to stop you. Extending the point further: the world needs the black man, and therefore it needs Africa.

credits

released May 11, 2010

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Fela Kuti Lagos, Nigeria

Over a decade after his death, vindication has come to Fela Kuti, Africa’s musical genius. AfroBeat, his gift to the world, is now an international staple on his own uncompromising terms, social content intact.

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