Former US President Barack Obama has honoured the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, describing him as a one-of-a-kind artist who blended powerful music with fearless activism.
In a video shared on his social media pages on Wednesday night, Obama called Fela “a musical genius from Nigeria” who masterfully fused funk, jazz, and soul to create the globally celebrated sound known as Afrobeat.
The former president made the remarks while introducing a new podcast series dedicated to Fela’s life and legacy, titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.” The 12-episode documentary, produced under Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground media company, dives deep into Fela’s revolutionary spirit, music, and influence.
“You may have heard our documentary podcast last year about Stevie Wonder called The Wonder of Stevie. Well, I want to tell you about our next one — it’s about the legendary Fela Kuti,” Obama said.
“He’s 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.”
Currently on its fourth episode, the podcast traces Fela’s journey — from his childhood watching his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, make history, to his transformative stay in 1969 Los Angeles, where he discovered a new political consciousness that shaped his identity as a Pan-Africanist and freedom fighter.
In the debut episode, “To Hell and Back,” Obama reflected on the enduring power of Fela’s music, saying,
“Music like Fela’s doesn’t just get people moving — it makes them feel alive. The very best art and music touch the soul.”
The series, which draws from over 200 interviews, features members of the Kuti family — including Yeni, Femi, and Mádé Kuti — as well as global icons like Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, Questlove, and Santigold.
According to its producers, Fear No Man explores how Fela’s art became a weapon of truth and resistance, and how his message continues to inspire artists and activists across the world today.
