United States Ex-President, Barack Obama, has launched a podcast series in honour of late legendary Nigerian Afrobeats musician Fela Kuti called “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man,” where he pays tribute to the legendary Nigerian Afrobeat musician.
In the series, Obama describes Fela as a “musical genius” who combined funk, jazz, and soul to create the iconic Afrobeat genre. The podcast features over 200 interviews, including Fela’s family members, friends, scholars, and notable artists like Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, and Questlove.
Obama praises Fela’s unique sound and message, saying his music “moves hearts, changes minds, and heals the deepest wounds”. The podcast aims to introduce Fela’s story to a new global audience and explore the intersection of music, politics, and freedom.
Born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti in 1938, Colonial Nigeria, Fela Kuti did not only sang but also criticized the Nigerian Military rule that was filled with corruption during his lifetime. He was mistreated, beaten, jailed by Soldiers but was never suppressed, passing his inner thoughts about the corrupt Government in his songs. He died at the age of 58 on August 3, 1997. There were rumours that he died of AIDS but the rumours were debunked by his widow who insisted her husband did not die of the disease.
