The 12-part series was announced by Obama titled Fela Kuti: Fear No Man produced by Higher Ground, the media company co-founded by Obama and his wife, Michelle, the podcast delves into Fela’s revolutionary music, political defiance, and lasting cultural impact.

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

Hosted by Jad Abumrad, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man features a blend of rare archival recordings and contemporary interviews with some of music’s biggest names, including Paul McCartney, Questlove, Santigold, Burna Boy, David Byrne, and Ayo Edebiri. Members of the Kuti family Yeni, Femi, and Mádé share personal reflections on Fela’s life and message.

In his video announcement, Obama described Fela as “a musical genius from Nigeria” who fused funk, jazz, and soul to create the globally recognized Afrobeat sound. Obama praised the podcast as “a beautiful show about a unique figure in musical history who mixed art with activism.”

Read Also: “My family has done enough for Nigeria”– Made Kuti

The former president highlighted the power of Fela’s music to challenge injustice and inspire change. “Music like Fela’s gets people moving, makes them feel alive, and stirs the soul,” Obama remarked.

The podcast series takes listeners on a journey through Fela’s life, tracing his evolution from a young observer of his mother’s activism to a global symbol of artistic resistance. Episode four focuses on Fela’s transformative years in Los Angeles during 1969, where his exposure to Black consciousness movements helped shape his Pan-Africanist ideology and fuel his revolutionary sound.

Fela Kuti, Fear No Man draws from over 200 interviews with Fela’s family, friends, scholars, and fellow artists, providing a deep dive into the soul of Afrobeat and the enduring influence of Fela’s fearless artistry.

Source: Channels