8

6.1

UK release date 12.07.2007

Seun Kuti is the youngest son of Fela Anikulapo Kuti – the Black President, the king of afrobeat and ‘the one who carries death in his pouch.’

While Femi Kuti, Seun’s step-brother, has come under fire in Nigeria for neglecting his father’s legacy, (the Kalakuta Republic, the compound where Fela lived today lies in ruins,) Seun Kuti is widely seen as the rightful heir to the political project which his father directed against Nigeria’s corrupt politicans and their military henchmen.Backed by Fela’s own band, the Egypt 80, and blessed with their support, Seun is updating the afrobeat sound, and broadcasting it to a next generation of Nigerians.

On ‘Think Africa’, the message to the politicians is: ‘We get problem for house, problem for road, problem for work, problem for school, ethnic problems, government problems, why na soso problems here?’ Arguably Seun hasn’t quite developed his father’s uncanny gift for wordplay, but the fire in his belly is still strong. Produced by the great Martin Meissonier, the man behind the boards for classic Fela and King Sunny Ade material, this is a serious musical offering.
Words Jez Smadja