It’s one week after the Lekki Massacre
(20-210-20, the killings of peaceful Nigerian
Youths/Protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate) and
to burn our candles for the falling heroes,
patriotic Nigerians we brought forth this Fela
masterpiece – ‘ Sorrow Tears and Blood ‘ which
contains powerful message about the sorrowful
incident.
Often assumed to be inspired by the February
1977 army attack on Kalakuta Republic,
according to sleeve designer Ghariokwu Lemi,
“ SorrowTearsAndBlood ” was written in
response to the South African regime’s
crushing of the Soweto uprising in June 1976,
which Lemi and Fela had watched unfold on
television.
The album was among the first of those Fela
released following the destruction of Kalakuta
Republic. An early sleeve design used a
photograph showing Fela onstage in the
aftermath of the outrage, his left leg still in
plaster. He dedicated the album “to the
memory of those who were beaten, raped,
tortured or injured” during the Kalakuta attack.
The police and army invariably leave behind
them “sorrow, tears and blood,” Fela sings, and
the backing vocalists respond, “dem regular
trademark.” Decca refused to release the
album, fearing government reprisals. Fela
responded by setting up Kalakuta Records and
making the disc the label’s debut release.
Listen to the short Edited
“ SorrowTearsAndBlood ” record below as we
continue to fight for Liberty and a New Nigeria “SONG…
