Obama honours Fela Kuti in new podcast Fear No Man
Former United States President Barack Obama has paid glowing tribute to Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in his new podcast series titled “Fear No Man”, describing the late Nigerian musician as one of the most courageous and revolutionary artists of the 20th century.
The podcast, which premiered on Spotify and Audible, explores the lives of global icons who challenged oppression through art, activism, and personal conviction. In one of the episodes, Obama highlighted Fela’s music and political defiance as a timeless example of how creativity can be used to fight injustice and inspire change.
“Fela Kuti wasn’t just making music — he was making a statement,” Obama said.
“At a time when speaking truth to power could cost you everything, he stood tall. His courage, his rhythm, and his refusal to be silenced changed how the world heard Africa.”
Fela’s legacy reimagined
Obama’s recognition of Fela Kuti comes decades after the Afrobeat pioneer’s passing in 1997, yet his influence continues to resonate across continents. The episode traces Fela’s journey from his early musical years in London to his return to Nigeria, where his band, Africa ’70, became the heartbeat of political resistance through songs like “Zombie,” “Water No Get Enemy,” and “Sorrow, Tears and Blood.”
The former U.S. president praised Fela’s ability to blend music with social consciousness, describing him as a “prophet of rhythm” whose songs were as intellectually fierce as they were musically groundbreaking.
“What Fela did with a saxophone and a microphone was what some leaders couldn’t do with armies,” Obama remarked in the podcast.
“He turned pain into rhythm, resistance into art — and through it, he gave voice to millions.”
“Fear No Man”: A celebration of courage
The “Fear No Man” series, co-hosted by Obama and award-winning journalist Renée Montagne, spotlights figures who refused to conform to fear or oppression — from Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali to Nina Simone, Malala Yousafzai, and now, Fela Kuti.
Each episode blends storytelling with archival recordings, interviews, and Obama’s personal reflections on leadership, freedom, and moral conviction. The series aims to show how ordinary people, through courage and purpose, became extraordinary changemakers.
Obama explained that Fela’s story was chosen because it speaks to Africa’s enduring struggle for self-expression and justice.
“Fela reminds us that art is not just entertainment. It is resistance. It is a weapon of truth,” Obama said.
Global reactions and Nigerian pride
The episode has sparked excitement among Nigerian music lovers, historians, and Afrobeat enthusiasts, who hailed the acknowledgment as further proof of Fela’s global stature.
Social media platforms lit up with tributes, as fans celebrated Obama’s recognition of a man long regarded as a symbol of defiance against tyranny.
Nigerian Afrobeat star Femi Kuti, Fela’s eldest son, reacted to the podcast on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Hearing Obama talk about my father’s courage and legacy brought tears to my eyes. Fela’s message lives on.”
Similarly, Seun Kuti, who continues to lead the Egypt 80 band, praised the episode for “keeping the fire of resistance alive in a world that still fears truth.”
From Kalakuta to the world
Fela’s life — marked by multiple arrests, political harassment, and the destruction of his Kalakuta Republic commune in 1977 — remains a symbol of fearless defiance. His Afrobeat movement has influenced generations of artists, from Burna Boy and Wizkid to Erykah Badu, Questlove, and Beyoncé.
Cultural commentators say Obama’s feature on Fela in “Fear No Man” cements the Nigerian icon’s place among global freedom voices and underscores the continued relevance of his message in modern struggles for justice and equality.
“In every era, there are those who refuse to bow,” Obama said in closing.
“Fela was one of them — a man who feared no man.”
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