In the world of Fela Kuti and Afrobeat, Baba Ani (born Tajudeen Olalekan Animashaun) was much more than just a band member; he was Fela’s most loyal lieutenant and a cornerstone of the movement.
Who was Baba Ani to Fela?
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Band Leader and Saxophonist: Baba Ani joined Fela’s band, Koola Lobitos, in 1965 and stayed for over 50 years. He was the baritone saxophonist and eventually became the official bandleader of the Egypt 80 orchestra.
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The “Disciple”: While others left the band due to police raids, financial instability, or the burning of the Kalakuta Republic, Baba Ani remained. He famously referred to himself as a “disciple” to Fela’s “prophet,” believing in Fela’s mission to use music as a weapon against corruption.
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A Bridge to the Next Generation: After Fela’s death in 1997, Baba Ani was instrumental in mentoring Fela’s youngest son, Seun Kuti, helping him take over leadership of the Egypt 80 band.
Why did Fela shout “Ani!” during performances?
Fela’s shouts of “Ani!” (or sometimes “Baba Ani!”) were not just random calls; they served a functional and respectful purpose during his marathon live sets:
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Directing the Band: As the bandleader and baritone saxophonist, Baba Ani was responsible for the “anchoring” sound of the horn section. When Fela shouted his name, it was often a cue for a solo, a change in the musical arrangement, or a signal to the horn section to come in with a specific “blast.”
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Acknowledgment of Loyalty: Fela had deep respect for Baba Ani’s integrity. Unlike many in Fela’s circle, Baba Ani held a steady job as a civil servant for years while playing with the band. Fela’s public shouts were a way of honoring the man who kept the musical structure together while Fela focused on his “Yabis” (political satire) and vocals.
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Musical “Call and Response”: In Afrobeat, the connection between the leader and the band is conversational. Calling out “Ani!” was part of the stage drama, highlighting the individual mastery of his longest-serving musician.
To see the “Ani!” call in its most famous and high-energy context, you should watch Fela’s 1984 performance at the Glastonbury Festival.
In the track “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense,” Fela’s interaction with Baba Ani is a masterclass in how Afrobeat was directed.
What to Look/Listen For:
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The Command: Around the middle of the song, Fela will start building the “Underground Spiritual Game” (the groove). He often shouts “Ani!” or “Baba Ani!” to cue the horn section.
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The Solo: Keep an eye out for the Baritone Saxophone. This is the largest, lowest-pitched saxophone in the section. When Fela shouts his name, Baba Ani steps forward. Unlike the high-pitched “screaming” of the tenor sax, Ani’s solo is deep, rhythmic, and “earthy”—it provides the “foundation” or the “bottom” that Fela loved.
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The “Double Call”: Sometimes Fela shouts “Ani! Showboy!” referencing both Baba Ani and the other baritone saxophonist, Fagbemi Rilwan (known as Showboy). This was a signal for the “Heavy Baritones” to start their synchronized riff that drives the song’s climax.
“Fela Kuti Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense Live at Glastonbury 1984”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts9y5-nfoQ8
Watching this shows you that Fela wasn’t just a singer; he was an orchestra conductor. His shouts weren’t just for hype—they were the “remote control” for a 20-piece band. Without Baba Ani (the “Conductor of the horns”), the music wouldn’t have had that disciplined, military-like precision that made it so powerful.