Afrobeat artiste, Seun Kuti, is an advocate for radical action. His unwavering commitment to change through his music has cemented his position as a leading voice in the Nigerian social justice movement. He has used his music to address various social issues including, corruption in public places, social inequality and environmental degradation, as well as promoting African unity.
Currently on tour of Europe, Australia and Brazil, alongside Egypt 80, the band he inherited from his father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Na Oil, Things Dey Happen, IMF, and Corporate Public Sector crooner, unleashed his raw energy singing Emi Aluta, a key track from his new album, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) that hit the street on October 4. The song is an ode to the struggle against bad political leadership. It was executive produced by the American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor, Leonard Albert Kravitz, better known as Lenny Kravitz.
Performing during the Brazilian leg of his tour at the Galpão Ladeira das Artes in Rio de Janeiro, Seun, who was shirtless – as usual – spoke truth to power, calling out corrupt politicians and exploitative religious officials.
Filmed by French director, Vincent Moon, the video captured all the raw energy and rebellious nature of the song. Notably absent in the live video was the Zambian singer, songwriter and rapper, Sampa The Great, called “one of best and most innovative lyricists of our time,” who is featured on the recorded version on Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head).
Speaking on the track, Seun said, “Emi Aluta is a song about struggle that pays homage to all the great revolutionaries. Aluta means struggle.”
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 band continues their performance on November 2 at Capitol, Pordenone, Italy. They will be at Leverkusener Jazztage, Leverkusen, Germany on Monday, November 11, while at the Northcote Theatre, Melbourne, and Strawberry Fields Festival, The Wildlands, Tocumwal, Australia on November 14 and 15 respectively.
The tour train will move to the United Kingdom and make its first stop at the London Jazz Festival, KOKO on November 17; then taxi to Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds (18), Trinity – Bristol (19), Waterfront – Norwich (20), and Chalk – Brighton (21). It will move to Spot, Groningen, Netherlands on November 24; Slaktkyrkan – Stockholm, Sweden (26), and VEGA – Copenaghen, Denmark (27).
All roads will lead to France from November 20 to December 1 for a major international festival on the musical and tourism calendar of the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival dubbed the Principality, which celebrates its 18th edition this year. Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 band will serenade Afrobeats fans in the idyllic setting of the Opéra Garnier, Monte Carlo, Monaco – France on November 28.
The tour caravan will move to Trabendo – Paris on December 4, then Clef – St. Germain en Laye (5), Le VIP – Saint-Nazaire (6), Quai M – La Roche-Sur-Yon (7), Atabal – Biarrtiz (8), Rockstore – Montpellier (10), Le Fil – Saint-Etienne (12); crossover to Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands (13) and cap it at De Singel-Winterfuse – Antwerp, Belgium on December 14.
