Fela’s “Pansa Pansa” was the b-side of his 1992 release, Underground System. “Pansa” is a Yoruban term that means “inconvenient truth,” and for Fela that meant his ongoing critique of his native Nigerian government and political corruption in the world. “Pansa Pansa” had been on Fela’s live setlist since 1976. The Underground System title referred to what he called a group of secretive military and political elites focused on silencing anyone who challenged the status quo. The Afrobeat pioneer made his reputation calling out the corrupt Nigerian political system since 1969 when he discovered the Black Power movement during a 10-month stay in Los Angeles. “Pansa Pansa” had the usual traits of the genre he pioneered: jazzy baritone and tenor saxophones, hot rhythms, tinky electric piano, and his incendiary lyrics. Fela had proven the power of songs as resistance when his “Zombie” upset the Nigerian government and military. They infamously raided his Kalakuta Republic compound, burning it down and throwing his feminist mother, who was the first woman in Nigeria to drive a car, out of a window, causing her death. The government attacks or the death of his mother stopped Fela from singing about his politics and “Pansa Pansa” was his last release before his passing in 1997.

Fela’s influence is still felt in popular culture and several biographies, the stage play Fela Son of Kuti: The Fall of Kalakuta, the musical Fela! and the documentary Finding Fela have all examined his life. Yeni Kuti, one of his daughters, started the Felabration Festival in 1998 at the New Africa Shrine in Nigeria, which replaces the one Fela founded, to remember him every year. In 2022, Fela was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 2025, the European Union made a commitment to Nigeria and other African nations to support their creative work to foster cultural understanding and humanity. The announcement was made at the Afrobeat Rebellion Exhibition in Lagos to celebrate Fela’s birthday. 

Seun Kuti grabs De La Soul’s Posdnuos for the Grand Stand version of “Stand Well Well.” The single is from the deluxe version of his Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) album released last year. Pos adds another dimension to the song as the Native Tongue member meets Afrobeat royalty for a cross-cultural jam. He had this to say about the collaboration: “Seun is a powerful soul and it’s inspirational being around him whenever I have been. The song for me means to stand well rooted in agreeableness. Standing well rooted against the whirlwind of misery dressed up as entertainment online, as well as its powerful elixir of self-doubting. Standing focused to not fall for the trap of redundancy that being on social media can present.” As the youngest son of late Afrobeat architect Fela Kuti, Seun has made the same commitment as his father to use music for social change. 

Kamasi Washington, Alborosie, and Adi Oasis also have appearances on the deluxe edition of Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) which comes out May 28th on Record Kicks. Kuti is going on a tour of the United States in April with stops at Coachella and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Tickets for the tour that goes through more than 20 cities by the end of May are on sale now. 

Seun Kuti collaborates with Adi Oasis for the Cinnamon version of “Love & Revolution.” The single originally appeared on Kuti’s Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) released last year. Oasis adds soulful conviction to the Afrobeat scenario inspired by Kuti’s wife, Yetunde Kuti. The song is a celebration of the dual desire for love and change and will be included on the deluxe version of HYLTCH. Oasis was more than happy to lend her voice to the song. She says, 

“I’m so honored to be included in this project. Seun and I met a decade ago at a show in Cleveland, and we’ve been following each other since. He’s a great human and one of the best performers out there. His energy shines bright and resonates through his music. I’m so happy that he chose me for this song in particular. ‘Love & Revolution’ talks about a woman with a strong will and a big heart. It celebrates the Divine feminine and shows its strengths. I couldn’t dream of a better subject to sing about.”

The deluxe version of Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) comes out in the spring. Kuti will go on a tour of the United States in April with dates in more than a dozen cities, including an appearance at Coachella. Tickets are on sale now. 

Seun Kuti’s “Emi Aluta” gets a Zamrock remix from Zambian singer, rapper, and songwriter Sampa the Great. Sampa and her team Mag44 and Solomon Pate produced the raucous reworking for the Afrobeat heir. The single is on Kuti’s recently released album, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) which is exclusively produced by Lenny Kravitz. Sampa  shared her feelings about the remix,

“I’ve made it a personal goal of mine to be able to work with legendary African musicians who have broken barriers for African music to be expressed and celebrated globally. Seun Kuti is one such Artist! I was truly honored to be a part of Seun Kuti’s album. Seun’s music and family legacy have paved a way for a lot of us globally, regardless of our various genres within the African continent. It was amazing being involved in that journey and adding my voice, culture, and music lineage through the Zamrock remix. African music continues to grow and inspire within the continent and beyond!.” 

Stream the remix of “Emi Aluta” and look for Kuti on tour of the United States with his first date in April at the Blue Note in New York City. Tickets are on sale now. 

Seun Kuti On Tour 

April 3 New York, New York @ Blue Note Jazz Club 
April 4           New York, New York @ Blue Note Jazz Club 
April 5           New York, New York @ Blue Note Jazz Club 
April 6           New York, New York @ Blue Note Jazz Club 
April 9           Philadelphia, PA @ Brooklyn Bowl
April 11         Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
April 12         San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
April 18         Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
April 21         Evanston, IL @ SPACE
April 22         St. Louis, MO @ City Winery
April 24         New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 25         Atlanta, GA @ City Winery
April 26         Charleston, SC @ Pour House
April 27         Mills River, NC @ Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
April 29         Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre
April 30         Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre
May 3            Hollywood, FL @ ArtsPark
May 6            Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
May 7            Seattle, WA @ Jazz Alley
May 8            Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre
May 9            Fort Collins, CO @ The Armory
May 10          Basalt, CO @ TACAW
May 11          Denver, CO @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
May 13          Durango, CO @ Animas City Theatre
May 17          Bentonville, AR @ FreshGrass Festival