While most musicians who blame the CIA for propaganda would garner an eyeroll, Seun Kuti has great reason to be distrustful. Beyond revolutionizing the Afrobeat genre by mixing West African sounds with American jazz and soul, Fela was a protester and political figure in his native Nigeria. Nigeria's oppressive government imprisoned him several times before his death in 1997. Barely a teen at the time, Seun Kuti immediately did what he could to continue his father's legacy.
"It was a house of musicians, but my brother was doing his own thing. I was the only other musician in the family," Seun says, explaining how continuing Egypt 80 became his life's work. "It's a way to keep my father close to me. It's an act of love. Keeping the band together keeps him alive."
Of course, as time passes, the membership of Egypt 80 continues to evolve. "Many people in the original band can't play any more. They're old or died," Kuti notes. Finding replacements requires new members having the right attitude along with the requisite musical chops. "You can tell if they should join by the spirit of the person. You meet people that know the movement of advancing humanity and protecting the environment. I vibe with them if they don't take themselves too seriously and are not egotistical."
Kuti's newest record, 2024's Heavier Yet (Lays the Crownless Head), follows in the footsteps of his father's joyous musicianship while also carrying messages of brotherhood, unity, and equality. "The album was written for the consciousness of working-class people to energize them and make them feel whole," he tells New Times. "Since music was taken over by corporations, it has made people feel insecure. It makes them think they're 'less than,' with all this materialism. My album is the opposite of that. The working class is who keeps this world going with kindness and brotherly and sisterly love while the elite try to destroy this planet and promise a new planet on Mars.""The working class keeps this world going while the elite try to destroy this planet and promise a new planet on Mars."
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South Florida will be able to hear Kuti's recent work along with yet-to-be-recorded songs when Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 play a free show Saturday night at Hollywood ArtsPark. Kuti will handle vocals, piano, and alto sax alongside with seven bandmates on horns, bass, guitar, and drums. "I'd like us to be more onstage. I'd love to live in a world where musicians make all the money and I take them all on tour," he says.
Seun Kuti's music has taken him and the band around the world, playing everywhere from the recent Coachella Festival to Europe and, of course, throughout his native Africa. He says the music scene in Nigeria is no longer much different from what he encounters on his trips to the U.S.
"The world has become one big commercial village. There are lots of artists all over the world who just copy and paste. Globally and in Nigeria. There are also, regardless if it's mainstream or not, young people all over making exciting music."
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. 7 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at ArtsPark at Young Circle, 1 N. Young Circle, Hollywood; Admission is free. RSVP at eventbrite.com.
