Fela Kuti , byname of Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, also called Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (born October 15, 1938, Abeokuta, Nigeria—died August 2, 1997, Lagos), Nigerian musician and activist who launched a modern style of music called Afro-beat, which fused American blues, jazz, and funk with traditional Yoruba music.