Obama Honours Fela Kuti in New Podcast ‘Fear No Man’

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has paid glowing tribute to the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, hailing him as a “musical genius” who used his art as a weapon of activism and change.

In a video shared on his social media page, Obama announced the release of a new 12-episode podcast titled “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man”, produced by Higher Ground, the media company he co-founded with Michelle Obama.

> “He is a musical genius from Nigeria who made music that I really love — combining funk, jazz, and soul into what became Afrobeat,” Obama said. “It’s a beautiful story about a man who mixed art with activism.”

The podcast chronicles Fela’s revolutionary journey — from his youth watching his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, make history, to his transformative years in 1969 Los Angeles where he evolved into a Pan-Africanist freedom fighter.

Currently in its fourth episode, “Fear No Man” features rare interviews and commentary from Fela’s family members, including Yeni, Femi, and Mádé Kuti, as well as global icons such as Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, Questlove, and Santigold.

Obama, who is one of the featured voices in the podcast’s first episode “To Hell and Back”, reflected on Fela’s enduring influence:

> “Music like Fela’s doesn’t just keep folks moving — it makes them feel alive. Our best art and our best music touch the soul.”

Through the podcast, the Obamas aim to highlight Fela’s fearless spirit and the timeless power of music to inspire social transformation.

“Fear No Man” is now streaming on major podcast platforms — celebrating Fela not only as a musician but as a voice for justice, resilience, and African pride.