Former United States President, Barack Obama, has paid glowing tribute to Nigeria’s Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, describing him as a “musical genius” whose art and activism continue to inspire the world.
Obama made the remarks on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in a new podcast series titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man,” produced by Higher Ground, the media company he co-owns with his wife, Michelle Obama. The series celebrates musicians who used their art to challenge injustice and inspire social change.
In a short video shared on his Instagram page, Obama expressed deep admiration for the late Nigerian icon, calling him a “unique figure in musical history” whose sound and message remain powerful decades after his passing.
“I really love him,” Obama said. “He is a musical genius from Nigeria. A unique figure in musical history who made music that I really love.”
The podcast, according to Obama, aims to explore how artists like Fela combined creativity with courage, using their voices to confront oppression. Each episode highlights how music can be a force for change, reflecting struggles for freedom, equality, and human rights.
Fela Kuti, who died in 1997, was more than a musician. He was one of Nigeria’s boldest critics of military dictatorship and corruption during the 1970s and 1980s. Through his politically charged songs and electrifying performances, he gave a voice to the oppressed and challenged those in power.
Known for creating the Afrobeat genre—a blend of traditional African rhythms, jazz, funk, and highlife—Fela used his music as a tool of resistance. His messages about justice, freedom, and African pride earned him both global admiration and repeated confrontations with authorities at home.
Obama’s tribute comes as a reminder of Fela’s enduring influence on generations of artists and activists across the world. Nearly three decades after his death, Fela’s music and message continue to shape conversations about freedom, governance, and identity in Nigeria and beyond.
“Fela Kuti: Fear No Man” is now available on major podcast platforms, offering listeners a chance to rediscover the legend whose beat still echoes across Africa and the world.
