Fela Kuti’s Grandfather, Rev. Josiah Jesse “J.J.” Ransome-Kuti ( 1855 – 1930) was a Nigerian clergyman and music composer. He was known for setting Christian hymns to indigenous music and for writing Christian hymns in Yoruba. Born born in Igbein, Abeokuta, present day Ogun State. His family were of Egba origin and his parents, Kuti (c.?1820 – 1863) and Anne Ekidan Efupeyin (c.?1830 – July 1877) were both born in Abeokuta. He became a deacon in 1895, ordained a priest in 1897 and was appointed district judge from 1902 to 1906. In 1911, he was appointed pastor of St. Peter’s Cathedral Church, Ake after previously serving as superintendent of the Church. In 1922, he was made canon of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos and in 1925, he became the first Nigerian to release a record album after he recorded several Yoruba language hymns in gramophone through Zonophone Records. He married Bertha Erina Olubi in 1882, daughter of Rev. Daniel Olubi and Susannah Olubi, They had three children; Anne Lape Iyabode Ransome-Kuti, Azariah Olusegun and Israel Oludotun (Father of Fela Kuti), His daughter Anne had a daughter, Grace Eniola Soyinka (Mother of Prof. Wole Soyinka). May His Soul Rest in Peace
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