In an inspiring social media post that captured the hearts of Nigerians, Former U.S. President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, describing him as a “musical genius from Nigeria” who blended funk, jazz, and soul into the globally acclaimed Afrobeat genre, saying it could “move hearts, change minds, and heal the deepest wounds.”
A video clip shared from a 12-episode series produced by him and his wife Michelle Obama’s media company, Higher Ground, Obama encouraged his followers to listen to the podcast titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man”, the podcast celebrates Fela’s life, artistry, and enduring legacy as both an artist and activist.
The series retraces Fela’s revolutionary roots, from his childhood to his transformative years in Los Angeles 1969, his exposure to the political and cultural movements of the era reshaped him from a “missionary boy” into a Pan-Africanist freedom fighter. The first episode, “To Hell and Back,” features Obama as one of the interviewees who praised Fela’s music for its emotional depth and social impact.
