Seun Kuti

Seun Kuti Biography **Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti** (born January 11, 1983, in Lagos, Nigeria), widely known as Seun Kuti, is a Nigerian musician, singer, and performer who primarily works in the Afrobeat genre. He is the youngest son of the legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and has dedicated his career to preserving and extending his father's musical and political legacy as the leader of Fela’s former band, Egypt 80. **Early Life and Education** Seun Kuti was born in Lagos, Nigeria. His musical journey began at a very young age, influenced directly by his father. By the time he was nine, he started performing alongside Fela Kuti and the Egypt 80 band. Following his father’s death in 1997, Kuti took on the profound responsibility of leading Egypt 80, an ensemble of musicians and dancers who had worked with his father for decades. Kuti later pursued his musical education at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, during which time he was also a member of the African Funk ensemble, River Niger. **Career Progression and Notable Works** After taking over leadership of Egypt 80, Seun Kuti began to shape the band's sound while maintaining the core principles of Afrobeat—combining traditional Nigerian music, funk, jazz, and African political commentary. In 2008, the band released their first album under the new moniker, *Seun Kuti & Egypt 80*, titled *Many Things*. His breakthrough came with the 2011 album, *From Africa with Fury: Rise*, which was co-produced by Brian Eno and achieved significant international acclaim. Kuti's music is known for being intensely politically charged, addressing issues of corruption, poverty, and neo-colonialism in Africa, consistent with the tradition established by his father. In 2022, he released an EP titled *African Dreams*. His instrument of choice remains the saxophone and his powerful vocals. **Major Achievements and Legacy** As the leader of Egypt 80, Seun Kuti has continued to tour globally, ensuring the survival and evolution of the Afrobeat sound. His dedication to political activism extends beyond his music; in November 2020, Kuti led the revival of his father's defunct political party, the Movement of the People, with the aim of registering it with Nigeria's electoral body. He has collaborated with various international artists, including a feature on Calle 13’s 2010 album *Entren los que quieran* for the song "Todo se mueve" (Everything Moves), and a guest feature on American rapper Jidenna’s 2019 album *85 to Africa*. **Current Status** Seun Kuti continues to perform and record with Egypt 80, maintaining his commitment to politically and socially conscious Afrobeat. In fall 2023, he notably signed the open letter Artists Against Apartheid in support of Palestinians, demonstrating his continued activism on global issues. He remains an influential voice in contemporary African music, respected for carrying forward the legacy of Fela Kuti.