Former U.S. President Barack Obama has paid glowing tribute to legendary Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti in a newly released podcast series titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.”
The series, produced by Higher Ground, the media company owned by Barack and Michelle Obama, explores the life, music, and activism of the late icon.
In a video clip shared on his official Instagram page, Obama described Fela as “a musical genius from Nigeria,” praising his unmatched creativity and fearless political expression.
The former president noted that Fela’s music had deeply personal significance to him, calling the Afrobeat creator “a unique figure in musical history who made music that I really love.”
The podcast aims to celebrate global figures who used art as a tool for resistance and social change, with Fela standing as a central example of courage and creativity.
Fela’s global impact and political activism
Fela Kuti, who passed away in 1997, remains one of Africa’s most influential musicians and outspoken critics of military rule and corruption.
Through his revolutionary Afrobeat sound, he challenged injustice, government oppression, and societal complacency.
Obama’s tribute reinforces how Fela’s message continues to inspire movements for freedom and reform worldwide.
His music, often filled with biting political commentary, still resonates in today’s discussions about power and governance.
Obama’s recognition symbolises how deeply Fela’s legacy has transcended borders, influencing generations of global leaders, artists, and activists.
Honouring the spirit of art and resistance
The “Fear No Man” podcast is dedicated to celebrating artists who fearlessly fused art with activism, breaking boundaries through their creativity. Obama’s reflection on Fela highlights how music can serve as both expression and resistance.
Fans across Africa have since praised the former U.S. president for acknowledging one of Nigeria’s most impactful cultural figures.
The series is expected to introduce Fela’s story to a new global audience, reigniting discussions about the intersection of music, politics, and freedom.
Fela’s spirit of defiance, captured in his songs and activism, continues to echo, proving that great art never dies, it only evolves with time.
Watch the video below…
Barack Obama presta homenagem ao Fela Kuti, lenda do afrobeat em novo podcast. pic.twitter.com/MAF6XKp68V
— Africanize (@africanize_) October 23, 2025