Obama described Fela as “a musical genius from Nigeria” who fused funk, jazz, and soul into Afrobeat.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former United States President, Barack Obama, has eulogized Afrobeats pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, in a new podcast, IMO, from Higher Ground, the production company owned by his wife, Michelle..
While paying tribute to the legendary Afrobeat artist in a video trending on social media on Wednesday night, Obama described Fela as a unique figure in musical history who mixed art with activism.
He went on to label him “a musical genius from Nigeria” who fused funk, jazz, and soul into what became known worldwide as Afrobeat. He also urged fans to listen to the podcast series dedicated to the Nigerian musician, which is titled “Fela Kuti: Fear no man.”
Speaking about the 12-episode podcast, Obama said: “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.”
“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.”
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According to Obama, the podcast, which is currently in its fourth episode, traces the genealogy of Fela’s revolution, “when he was an 8-year-old boy watching his mom make history.”
It also explores the icon’s life in 1969 Los Angeles, where a potent mix of music and politics turned a “missionary boy” into a Pan-Africanist freedom fighter and ignited a musical firestorm.
In episode one, titled ‘To Hell and Back,’ the former US president is one of the interviewees who extolled that Fela’s music had the power to move hearts, change minds, and heal the deepest wounds.
“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.
