Former US President Barack Obama has paid tribute to the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti, describing him as a “musical genius” in a new documentary podcast series that explores the powerful fusion of art and activism. The podcast, produced by Obama’s media company, Higher Ground, highlights Fela’s enduring global influence nearly three decades after his passing .

A Presidential Tribute for the Afrobeat Pioneer

In a video announcement posted on his social media accounts, Obama personally endorsed the 12-episode series titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.” He expressed his deep appreciation for Fela’s music, noting how the artist “combined 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,” Obama stated, adding that “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” .

The podcast, a collaboration between Higher Ground and Audible, debuted its first episodes on October 15, 2025, coinciding with Felabration—the annual global festival celebrating Fela’s legacy .

Inside “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man”

The documentary series represents an extensive research effort, drawing from over 200 interviews with Fela’s family, friends, scholars, activists, and fellow artists . The podcast is hosted by Jad Abumrad and features an impressive lineup of contributors .

Featured Voices in the Podcast

Category Contributors
Family Members Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti, Mádé Kuti
Musical Artists Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, Questlove, Santigold
Other Luminaries David Byrne, Ayo Edebiri, Barack Obama

The series traces Fela’s evolution from his childhood experiences watching his mother make history to his transformative time in 1969 Los Angeles, where exposure to Black Power movements shaped his Pan-Africanist ideology . The premiere episode, “To Hell and Back,” features Obama as one of the interviewees discussing Fela’s profound impact .

Fela Kuti: The Legacy of Resistance

Fela Kuti, who passed away in 1997, remains one of Africa’s most challenging and charismatic music performers . His legacy continues to resonate globally because the social and political issues he confronted—colonialism, military oppression, and systemic corruption—remain relevant today .

The Activist Musician

· Political Confrontations: Fela’s music made him a repeated target of Nigeria’s military governments. His 1977 album “Zombie,” which criticized the military, triggered a brutal army raid on his Kalakuta Republic commune that left him severely beaten and his mother fatally injured .
· Pan-African Vision: Beyond criticizing Western imperialism, Fela advocated for African unity and true independence from colonial mentalities. His 1977 song “Colonial Mentality” mocked those who embraced European frameworks at the expense of their African identity .
· Enduring Relevance: Scholars note that Fela’s music continues to speak to contemporary struggles. His 1978 song “Sorrow, Tears and Blood” has been referenced in relation to the tragic conclusion of Nigeria’s 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality .

Fela’s Living Legacy in Contemporary Culture

The Obama podcast arrives alongside other major celebrations of Fela’s legacy, including the “Afrobeat Rebellion” exhibition at Lagos’s Ecobank Pan-African Centre. This immersive showcase, running until December 28, 2025, features rare archival materials that explore Fela’s role as both musician and public intellectual .

Curator Seun Alli notes that the exhibition aims to look beyond the sensational aspects of Fela’s life—his marriage to 27 women, his performances in his underwear—to explore the deeper intellectual and philosophical contributions he made to African social and political thought .

Fela’s musical lineage continues through his sons, Femi and Seun Kuti, who maintain the Afrobeat tradition, while his influence echoes in the work of contemporary artists like Burna Boy . As Obama’s tribute highlights, Fela’s unique combination of musical innovation and fearless social commentary continues to inspire new generations of artists and activists worldwide .

To experience “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man,” the podcast is available exclusively on Audible and other podcast platforms . Fear No Man