Barack Obama Honours Fela Kuti in New Podcast Series “Fear No Man”
Former U.S. President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Nigerian Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti in a new podcast series celebrating artists who used their craft as a form of activism.
The series, titled Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, is produced by Higher Ground, the media company owned by Barack and Michelle Obama. It was released on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, and explores Fela’s fearless artistic journey, political resistance, and global influence.
In a video shared on his official Instagram page, Obama described Fela as “a musical genius from Nigeria” and praised his boldness in fusing music with social commentary.
“He is a musical genius from Nigeria – a unique figure in music history who made music that I really love,” Obama said, adding that his admiration for Fela’s work is deeply personal.
The podcast highlights how Fela’s Afrobeat sound became a tool for challenging injustice and exposing government corruption in Nigeria. Through his songs, Fela consistently criticised military dictatorship, earning global recognition as both a revolutionary artist and a fearless activist.
Fela Kuti, who passed away in 1997, remains one of Africa’s most influential musicians. His legacy continues to inspire generations worldwide – a sentiment Obama captures in this new tribute to the late legend.
