Former United States President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, describing him as a musical genius who blended art with activism to create a powerful legacy.
In a video shared on his social media account on Wednesday night, Obama encouraged his followers to listen to a new podcast series about Fela titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.” The 12-part documentary series, produced by Higher Ground—a podcast company owned by Barack and Michelle Obama—celebrates the life and impact of the Nigerian icon.
“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,” Obama said.
“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,” he added.
Currently in its fourth episode, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man traces the roots of Fela’s revolutionary spirit, from his early childhood influenced by his activist mother to his transformative experiences in 1969 Los Angeles.
In the first episode, “To Hell and Back,” Obama himself appears as one of the interviewees, reflecting on the timeless power of Fela’s music.
“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,” he said.
The podcast features over 200 interviews, including insights from Fela’s children—Yeni, Femi, and Mádé Kuti—as well as global artists such as Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, Questlove, and Santigold.
According to its producers, the series explores “the transformative power of art and the role artists can play in this current moment of global unrest,” using Fela’s story as a rallying point for creative resistance and social change.
