Today marks the birthday of  Nigerian superstar Fela Kuti, the 58-year-old father of Afro-beat, and one of the most significant musicians of the 20th century. Unfortunately, little mention is made in the United States about the life of Fela, whose influence never fully reached American soil. For me, this is extremely disappointing, as we could stand to learn several lessons from Kuti’s life and legacy.

At a moment when mainstream hip-hop music is at a creative nadir, Fela’s artistic integrity provides a wonderful blueprint. Unlike many contemporary artists, Kuti was relatively unaffected by the imperatives of the mainstream market. Kuti rarely made radio consumable songs –few of his songs lasted less than 10 minutes– and he frequently refused to perform music that he had previously recorded. This is a stark contrast from today’s artists, whose creativity is often constrained by personal and corporate profit motives.

Even more significant than Kuti’s musical gifts was his political legacy. As his career progressed, Kuti became increasingly focused on making music that challenged the colonial power structure. More important, he consistently attempted to link his musical activism to real, on the ground political struggles. Unlike many contemporary artists (and academics), Kuti recognized that political activism must extend beyond the song, the t-shirt, or the slogan. While his success in this arena is questionable –one could argue that his Movement of the People (M.O.P.) party was no more focused or successful than Diddy’s well intentioned but shortsighted “Vote or Die” campaign–his ability to galvanize and mobilize his generation is still highly instructive for today’s generation.

Fela’s death in 1997 from AIDS complications forces us to consider the significance of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. Based on data from 2005, 4 percent of Nigerian adults are HIV-positive. In other sub-Saharan countries, such as Botswana (24%) and Swaziland (33%), the numbers are considerably higher. To be sure, these numbers can be reduced through sustained research, education, and prevention initiatives.

Although he died in an AIDS-induced coma, Kuti went to his deathbed believing that HIV/AIDS was a hoax constructed by the government. To this day, many of his fans refuse to believe that the Nigerian hero could have fallen to such an undignified and unmasculine disease. These beliefs, which are not uncommon, speak to the need for a shift in our public conversations about HIV/AIDS and masculinity. As opposed to the sensational and empirically unfounded “Down Low” discourse, which has contributed to highly problematic policy decisions, we must engage in complex and nuanced conversations about the race and sexual identity of HIV/AIDS.

Today’s video of the day comes from my man Jasiri X. The song, “What’s Peace?”, offers a brilliant analysis of Obama’s Nobel Prize victory in light of the current global conditions.

Today’s video of the day comes from The O’Reilly Factor, where I discussed President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize.

On Monday, our nation will celebrate Columbus Day as a national holiday. Although Columbus was an immoral treasure hunter who merely stumbled upon a region that had already been “discovered” by indigenous non-white peoples, we continue to praise the vicious conquistador as a hero. In the true spirit of Columbus, I have decided to make my own list (partially tongue in cheek, of course) of overrated white people. (Yes, there are lots of overrated Black people too. Keep reading…) This list is not exhaustive, nor is it offered in any particular order:

Elvis Presley – Elvis didn’t write his own songs, barely played the guitar, and was a worse actor than the entire cast of Belly. Despite being a cheap facsimile of Little Richard, he is still known as the “King of Rock ‘n Roll.” Only in America.

Bill Clinton – Despite bombing Africa and the Middle East regularly, approving the Welfare Reform Bill, the Prison Litigation Reform Act, and “three strikes” legislation, Black folk regularly regard Clinton as a messianic figure. He may be better than Bush, but Slick Willie was far from a savior.

Babe Ruth – While there is no doubt that Babe Ruth was the most dominant player of his era, he was also the beneficiary of smaller playing fields and a segregated league. Still, Ruth, rather than Hank Aaron or Willie Mays, is the single most celebrated player in the history of the sport.

Bill Walton –Walton embodies hyperbole. As an announcer, Walton regularly refers to at least eight different players as the “best player in the world, bar none” and regularly refers to routine turnovers as “the worst play in the history of Western civilization.” As a player, Walton put together one of the greatest college careers in NCAA history and led Portland to a championship. Still, a career full of recurring injuries and his sixth-man role in Boston make Walton’s placement on the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players list dubious at best.

Eminem – Without question, Marshall Mathers is a dope MC. His first two LPs (particularly the second) will go down as classics. Still, the genius label is too quickly attached to Em at the expense of more significant old school rappers like Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane, as well as contemporaries like Black Thought, Kool Keith, and Common.

Tony Romo – From mishandled to untimely interceptions, Romo finds new ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Still, the Cowboys quarterback is considered a top-tiered QB.

Justin Timberlake  – Yes, he can dance. Yes, he can sing. But is he any better than dozens of Black R&B singers? NO

Paris Hilton – What does she do again?

For my next trick, I’ll make a list of overrated Black people. My top choice? Here’s a hint: it rhymes with Schmarack Chlobama

Today’s video of the day provides an, ahem, interesting take on tipping. I HATE people who don’t tip, especially when I’m with them: “My food was 17.93 so I’m leaving 18.00. You can keep the change.”

I understand that tipping is technically optional, but our culture has an implicit set of codes about restaurant dining. If we don’t honor the code, the wait staff (which typically only makes 2-3 dollars per hour) will have no incentive to provide quality service or, in fact, to work in restaurants at all. My rule: if you can’t afford to tip, then you can’t afford to eat at a restaurant.