By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Former United States President, Barack Obama, has announced the release of a new podcast titled Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, a documentary series from his production company, Higher Ground, dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of the late Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
In a post shared on his social media account, Obama described Fela as a musical genius from Nigeria whose creative energy and political activism continue to inspire generations across the world.
“You may have heard our documentary podcast last year about Stevie Wonder, called ‘The Wonder of Stevie.’ Well, I want to be the first to tell you about the next podcast from Higher Ground. It just came out, and it’s about the legendary Fela Kuti,” Obama said.
“He is a musical genius from Nigeria who made some music that I really love, combining funk, jazz, and soul into a whole new genre called Afrobeat. It’s a beautiful show about a unique figure in musical history who mixed art with activism. So, check out ‘Fela Kuti: Fear No Man’ right now on your preferred podcast platform,” he added.
Produced by Higher Ground, the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama, the new series explores Fela Kuti’s extraordinary musical journey, his fearless activism, and how he used art as a form of resistance against oppression.
The podcast dives deep into the story of how Fela revolutionised African music by blending traditional rhythms with funk, jazz, and soul to create Afrobeat, a genre that has since gained global recognition and influenced artists across generations.
The series also highlights Fela’s courage in speaking truth to power during military rule in Nigeria, his establishment of the Kalakuta Republic, and his lasting influence on music, culture, and politics around the world.
Fela Kuti: Fear No Man is now available on major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Audible. It follows Higher Ground’s previous successful production, The Wonder of Stevie, which celebrated the life and artistry of American music icon Stevie Wonder.
With this new project, Obama’s Higher Ground continues its mission of telling powerful stories that bridge art, culture, and social impact, this time spotlighting one of Africa’s greatest musical legends.
