Obama Pays Tribute to Fela Anikulapo Kuti

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has honoured the memory of iconic Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, hailing him as a revolutionary artist who used his music as a tool for social change.

In a video shared on his social media page on Wednesday night, Obama described Fela as “a musical genius from Nigeria” whose fusion of funk, jazz, and soul gave birth to the globally celebrated Afrobeat sound. He also encouraged his followers to listen to a new podcast dedicated to Fela’s extraordinary life and influence.

The 12-part documentary series, titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man,” is produced under Higher Ground — the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. The series explores Fela’s journey as a musician, activist, and cultural icon whose art inspired movements far beyond Africa.

“You might remember our previous podcast about Stevie Wonder, The Wonder of Stevie. Well, I’m excited to share our newest one — it’s all about the legendary Fela Kuti,” Obama said. “He created music that I truly love — blending funk, jazz, and soul into Afrobeat. It’s a powerful story about an artist who used his creativity to stand up for what he believed in.”

Now four episodes in, the series delves into Fela’s early years, including the defining moment when, as an eight-year-old, he watched his mother take part in historic activism. It also revisits his time in Los Angeles in 1969, where exposure to the Black Power movement transformed him from a young musician into a fearless Pan-African advocate.

The debut episode, “To Hell and Back,” features Obama himself reflecting on the timeless energy and purpose behind Fela’s music. “Songs like Fela’s don’t just make people dance — they awaken something in the soul,” he said.

According to the producers, Fear No Man brings together over 200 interviews with Fela’s relatives, collaborators, and admirers — including his children Yeni and Femi Kuti, his grandson Mádé Kuti, and renowned figures such as Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, Questlove, and Santigold.

The series promises to capture the essence of Afrobeat and its enduring message — that music can be a force for freedom, unity, and transformation in times of global unrest.