Armonica & MoBlack Remix the Legendary Fela Kuti for Defected

Armonica and MoBlack have paid tribute to legendary musician and activist Fela Kuti with a remix of the late Nigerian artist’s track, “International Thief Thief (I.T.T).”

Kuti, who died in 1997, was known as a Nigerian revolutionary who fought against police and military oppression throughout the ’70s and beyond, as well as a pioneer of Afrobeat, which blends traditional yoruba and Afro-Cuban music with funk and jazz.

The Armonica & MoBlack remix has been commissioned with the blessing of Fela’s estate and family, and aims to highlight the ongoing fight against systemic corruption in Nigeria, while paying homage to the Kuti’s immense musicaal legacy.

“Fela Kuti is a legend,” Armonica tell Beatportal about the remix. “No words can describe how exciting is to produce a mix of this track. The words of this track are powerful, strong and right, and we hope they continue to teach that we should never give up on a better world — that’s our intent. His message is an example not only for Nigeria but for any people of Earth. Music is a weapon for the future and future is now. It has been a great honour for us to got approval from the estate to release officially this remix.”

MoBlack also expressed his deepest gratetude towards the estate, saying approval “means the world for us, because our afro-inspired musical production is what we are known for. It’s a blessing for our musical career and more in general for the music we stand for. We hope our new version of ‘I.T.T.’ reaches as many people possible in the world and especially in Nigeria. We believe in Fela’s words: Music is a weapon of the future. We hope to fight against police brutality, oppression and corruption. We hope Nigeria and the world is a better place.”

Armonica and MoBlack’s remix of Fela Kuti’s “International Thief Thief (I.T.T)” is now via Defected. Buy it here.