Former United States President Barack Obama has celebrated the legacy of Nigerian Afrobeat icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, describing him as a revolutionary artist.
He acknowledged that Fela’s music transcended entertainment to become a force for social change.
In a video shared on his social media account on Wednesday night, Obama praised Fela as “a musical genius from Nigeria” who combined funk, jazz, and soul to create Afrobeat, a genre that gained global recognition for its rhythm, energy, and political message.
The tribute coincides with the launch of a 12-episode podcast titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man,” produced under Higher Ground, the podcast platform owned by Barack and Michelle Obama.
The series commemorates Fela’s life, music, and activism, chronicling how his art became a weapon for social transformation.
“You may have heard our documentary podcast last year about Stevie Wonder called The Wonder of Stevie. Well, I want to be the first to tell you about the next podcast from Higher Ground that just came out. It’s about the legendary Fela Kuti,” Obama said in the video.
“He is a musical genius from Nigeria who made some music that I really love, combining funk, jazz, and soul into a whole new genre called Afrobeat. It’s a beautiful show about a unique figure in musical history who mixed art with activism,” he added.
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Currently on its fourth episode, Fear No Man traces the roots of Fela’s revolutionary spirit — beginning from his childhood, when he watched his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, make history as a women’s rights activist.
It also recounts his transformative experience in 1969 Los Angeles, where music and politics merged to turn a young musician into a Pan-African freedom fighter.
In the first episode titled “To Hell and Back,” Obama described Fela’s music as powerful and healing. “Music like Fela’s is able to not just keep folks moving but also makes them feel alive. Our very best art and very best music touch the soul,” he said.
The podcast features extensive interviews with members of the Kuti family, including Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti, and Mádé Kuti. It also includes contributions from global music icons such as Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, Questlove, and Santigold.
Producers of Fear No Man said the podcast draws from more than 200 interviews with Fela’s family, friends, and prominent figures to explore how his music continues to inspire activism and challenge oppression.
The series delves into the transformative power of Afrobeat and the enduring impact of artists who dare to speak truth to power.
Punch News
