Skip to main content

Barack Obama Hails Fela Kuti As A Musical Genius, Celebrates His Legacy In New Podcast

Barack Obama

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, describing him as a rare figure who blended music with activism to inspire generations across the world.

Obama made the remarks in a video shared on his social media pages on Wednesday night while announcing a new podcast series dedicated to Fela’s life and legacy.

The series, titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man,” is a 12-episode documentary podcast produced under Higher Ground, the media company owned by Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama.

“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.

“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.”

Currently in its fourth episode, the podcast chronicles Fela’s revolutionary journey, beginning from his childhood years, when he witnessed his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, fight for women’s rights.

It also explores his transformation during his time in Los Angeles in 1969, where exposure to Black activism reshaped his worldview and birthed his fearless brand of Afrobeat and political resistance.

In the debut episode titled “To Hell and Back,” Obama praised Fela’s artistry and social impact, noting that his music continues to move hearts and awaken consciousness.

“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,” Obama said.

According to the producers, Fear No Man features more than 200 interviews with Fela’s family, friends, and global icons, including Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, Questlove, and Santigold.

Members of the Kuti family such as Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti, and Mádé Kuti are also featured, offering personal insights into the legend’s enduring influence.

The podcast aims to explore not just Fela’s musical genius, but also how his art continues to shape conversations about freedom, resistance, and identity in times of global unrest.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ugandan Diplomat Speaks Out After DNA Test Reveals Shocking Family Truth

Chris Rugari, a Ugandan diplomat and Zimbabwe's Consular General to Uganda, has broken his silence after a DNA test revealed that two of his three eldest children are not biologically his. Rugari, who married Joline Kanoheri in 2008, had believed he had a happy and faithful marriage. However, the discovery in September 2023 changed everything. 2008 : Chris Rugari and Joline Kanoheri got married. 2010 : Their first child was born, followed by two more in 2013 and 2015. 2022 and 2024 : Two more children were born, with the last one's birth certificate not signed by Rugari due to emerging paternity issues. Rugari described his relationship with Kanoheri as wonderful and conflict-free, with him actively involved in the children's lives. He signed their birth certificates, took them for immunization, bathed them, cooked for them, and financially supported their education. However, the DNA test results revealed a shocking truth about the first three children. Tragedy struck when...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lagos Woman Missing After Message About Wrong Car

A Nigerian man, Mayor Johnson, has raised an alarm about the disappearance of his sister, Esther, in Lagos State. Esther was supposed to travel from Ajah to Epe to stay with a family friend in preparation for her JAMB exam. According to Johnson, Esther sent a disturbing message to her other sister, stating that she was "scared, feeling sleepy, her eyes itchy, and might have boarded the wrong car." The message was sent on Thursday, April 24, 2025, around 1 pm, and since then, there has been no contact from her.  Johnson is frantically searching for his sister, who was supposed to arrive at her destination to prepare for her JAMB exam scheduled for Friday. The family is worried about Esther's safety, and Johnson is appealing for help to locate her. 
1 comment
Read more

Mother Disowns 16-Year-Old Daughter Over Leaked Intimate Videos

A mother of four, Mrs. Chinasa, has disowned her 16-year-old daughter, Mmesoma, for leaking her intimate videos with a lover to her husband. The videos were allegedly sent to Chinasa's ex-husband, who then shared them with her friends and acquaintances, causing Chinasa immense shame and ridicule. According to sources, Chinasa had created the intimate videos with her lover to keep their emotions aflame during his absence. However, her children had access to her phone, and Mmesoma stumbled upon the videos and forwarded them to her father. The ex-husband then used the videos to ridicule and humiliate Chinasa. Chinasa has vowed to never acknowledge Mmesoma as her daughter again, citing the betrayal of trust and the shame brought upon her as a mother. "I regret ever having Mmesoma as my daughter. She has brought shame to me, and I will no longer acknowledge her as my own," Chinasa said. She fears that Mmesoma's actions may have long-term consequences and that her own grand...
Post a Comment
Read more