Everyone looks at Fela Kuti and thinks of activism, Pan-Africanism, and rebellion. But in all the talk about his politics, one often missed is his ability to forge his own path in music.
He pioneered Afrobeat and created an entire ecosystem around it. He refused to be boxed in by expectations or mainstream approval. He made music on his own terms and performed in his own space. If you’re an independent artist today, there’s no better blueprint.
Oh yes we know: you are not as crazy as Fela was. But as mentioned, this is not about the uncompromising activism, but the boldness to do what others aren’t thinking of.
So what are the things you must do?
1. Industry Standards? Break Them.
Fela never played by the rules. He stretched his tracks into 20-minute anthems. While others fine-tuned their music to fit Western tastes, he leaned even deeper into African rhythms, blending traditional percussion with jazz and funk. This made him impossible to ignore.
For today’s independent artists, the message is clear: don’t shrink yourself to fit an industry mold. Make the kind of music that represents you, not what algorithms say will trend. The artists who last are the ones who create something real, not those who chase what’s “hot” for the moment.
2. Build Your Own Stage
Rather than rely on festival bookings or big venues, Fela built his own. His shrine was a movement, a world where he controlled the narrative. He made sure that when people wanted to experience his music fully, they had to come to his turf.
Today, independent artists have more ways than ever to own their platforms. You don’t need approval from major festivals to build your audience. Use social media to create your own virtual stage. Turn your YouTube or Instagram Live into your own Shrine. Whether online or offline, the goal is the same—don’t wait for a stage. Build yours.
3. Own Your Music
If Fela had today’s tools—streaming, digital distribution, direct-to-fan platforms—imagine how much further his independence would have gone. Independent artists today have the power to distribute music globally without middlemen. Platforms like Highvibes Distribution make that possible, putting power back in the hands of artists. The question is, are you ready to claim yours?
The Fela Mindset: Make Them Come to You
Fela never begged for industry validation. He built something so undeniable that the industry had no choice but to acknowledge him. That’s the mindset every independent artist needs. Instead of chasing labels, streams, or viral moments, create something real. Control your music, own your brand, and let the world come to you.
Because if there’s one thing Fela’s journey teaches us, it’s this that the most powerful artists aren’t the ones who follow the path. They’re the ones who create it.
