Obama Pays Tribute To Fela Kuti In New Podcast Series

Former United States President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti through a new podcast series chronicling the musician’s extraordinary life, art, and activism.

Obama announced the release of the series, titled Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, in a video posted on his social media page on Wednesday night.

Produced by Higher Ground, the media company he co-founded with his wife, Michelle, the 12-part podcast explores Fela’s revolutionary music, political defiance, and enduring cultural impact.

The first two episodes, To Hell and Back and Becoming Fela, premiered on 15 October to coincide with Felabration, the annual global festival celebrating Fela’s legacy.

Hosted by Jad Abumrad, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man combines rare archival recordings with contemporary interviews featuring major voices in music and the arts, including Paul McCartney, Questlove, Santigold, Burna Boy, David Byrne, and Ayo Edebiri.

Members of the Kuti family, Yeni, Femi, and Mádé. also appear, sharing personal reflections on the late musician’s life and message.

In his video message, Obama described Fela as “a musical genius from Nigeria” who fused funk, jazz, and soul to create the globally acclaimed Afrobeat sound.

“It’s a beautiful show about a unique figure in musical history who mixed art with activism,” he said.

The former president drew parallels between Fela’s bold expression and the power of art to challenge injustice and uplift humanity.

“Music like Fela’s gets people moving, makes them feel alive, and stirs the soul,” Obama added.

The series further retraces Fela’s transformation from a young observer of his mother’s activism to a global symbol of artistic resistance.

Episode four highlights his pivotal years in 1969 Los Angeles, where his encounter with black consciousness movements shaped his Pan-Africanist ideology and fuelled his revolutionary sound.

According to the producers, the podcast draws from more than 200 interviews with Fela’s family, friends, scholars, and fellow artists, delving into the soul of Afrobeat and the enduring influence of his fearless artistry.

Source: Channels