Seun Kuti

The youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti has spent most of his life preserving and extending his father's political and musical legacy as the leader of Egypt 80. He began opening Fela's shows at the age of nine and by 12 entered the band's formal ranks as saxophonist and percussionist. When Fela passed in 1997, Seun, in fulfillment of his father's wishes, assumed the mantle as head of Egypt 80. His shows were always a mix of his father's tunes and his own. Along the way, he began adding his own twist to the music, digging deep into various African traditions to reflect the continent's struggles and cultures. He has shifted and transformed Afrobeat with his own evolving musical signature. ~ Thom Jurek