Seun Kuti: Afrobeat Hits Harder Than Ever

Afrobeat, that explosive sound that fuses African rhythms, jazz, and funk, reached its peak in the 70s with Fela Kuti, an artist so influential that his music became the soundtrack of political resistance in Africa. Decades later, his son Seun Kuti has taken the reins of that legacy, not to repeat it, but to expand it. With the Egypt 80 band behind him, Seun has taken afrobeat to new territories, staying true to the roots while enthusiastically exploring new textures and collaborations.

In 2011, Seun Kuti released From Africa With Fury: Rise, produced by the legendary Brian Eno. Eno, known for his work with bands like U2 and Talking Heads, has always had a fascination with afrobeat, describing it as one of the great sounds of the 70s. The album marked a turning point in Seun's career, showing a musical maturity that balanced the traditional and the contemporary, capturing the attention of a global audience.

Now, with Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head), Seun has raised the stakes. For this project, he has joined forces with two giants: Lenny Kravitz and Sodi Marciszewer. The choice of Kravitz is astute; his musical versatility, spanning from rock to funk, adds a pop layer that makes the album more immediate. On the other hand, Marciszewer, who worked closely with Fela on several albums, ensures that the essence of classic afrobeat remains intact. This mix between the familiar and the new makes Heavier Yet an album that not only honors tradition but also ventures into unexplored territories.

The album opens with "T.O.P.", a song that immediately captures attention with its explosive horn section. The rhythm, unmistakably afrobeat, evokes Fela's contagious energy, but with a freshness that only Seun can bring. In a world where contemporary artists like Radiohead's Thom Yorke have been inspired by Fela's legacy, Seun proves he remains the authentic guardian of this sound.

As we progress through the album, "Dey" offers a unique collaboration with Damian Marley, the son of another legend. Marley brings his reggae touch, effortlessly fusing two genres deeply linked to protest and social consciousness. The chemistry between both artists is palpable, generating a powerful piece that reflects the global struggle against oppression.

"Stand Well Well" marks a change in the album's tone, with Kravitz's evident influence. Although the song maintains lyrical intensity, its more accessible structure recalls pop and rock, without losing the rebellious essence that defines Seun's music. Inspired by Aldous Huxley's dystopian work Brave New World, the song touches on themes of surveillance and social control, issues as relevant today as when it was published.

"Emi Aluta" is a musical storm. Accompanied by the electrifying Sampa The Great, Seun takes afrobeat to more experimental terrain, creating a fusion of sounds that is both captivating and challenging. This collaboration shows how afrobeat can evolve without losing its ability to make powerful statements about the current state of the world.

The album's closing with "Move" is an ode to the power of rhythm as a tool for liberation. Inspired by the words of anarchist Emma Goldman, who proclaimed: "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution," the song encapsulates Seun's philosophy: resistance is not just struggle, but also celebration. Music, like revolution, must be lived with passion and energy.

In a world where social struggles continue to be an omnipresent reality, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) is more than an album; it's a call to action. Seun's ability to infuse each track with a profound message, backed by impeccable production, positions him as an artist who has not only inherited afrobeat but is pushing it forward with determination.

Seun Kuti has achieved something extraordinary: respecting his father's legacy without being trapped in his shadow. While Fela Kuti is recognized as the founder of afrobeat, Seun has shown that the genre has a vibrant and relevant future in the 21st century. With Heavier Yet, Seun not only pays homage to his heritage but marks his own path, one that promises to be as influential as his father's.