The Afrobeat Spotlight: Seun Kuti

   The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. Seun Kuti, also known as Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, is the youngest son of Fela Kuti and just like his father, Seun Kuti is also a musician. Seun now leads his late father's band, Egypt 80, and follows the social and political ethos that his father followed.
   Unlike his father, however, Seun focuses primarily on the saxophone and not as much on the traditional African instruments - Seun was more modern than his father, which can also be seen in his music video: in "IMF", all the men are in suits, American currency is portrayed, and corporate buildings are shown. There are still Africanisms that can be clearly heard: repetition, functionality, polyrhythm, and yelling/crying.
  Seun seems to be a bit more aggressive in getting his political and social messages across. For example in "IMF", Kuti curses and shows how groups of (what it seems like) corporate versions of him are trying to stomp on Seun. Kuti also portrays himself as a zombie after he is showered in American money. It is clear that Seun is most definitely not a fan of the U.S. and seems to blame the states for the troubles and corruption in Africa.
   Seun Kuti's music and lyrics are most definitely more extreme than his father, but the rhythm and catchiness of the songs do not deter far from his father's work. Fela Kuti's youngest son should be a force to be reckoned with in the Afrobeat music industry. Enjoy the video below!