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Seun Kuti to release album with Lenny Kravit, Egypt 80
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, carrying the torch of Fela Kuti’s legacy, are gearing up to release a new album. Seun Kuti, who took over his father’s band Egypt 80 after Fela’s untimely death in 1997 when Seun was only 14 years old, has teamed up with four-time Grammy Award winner Lenny Kravitz, who will executive produce the project.
The band will release the album to the world on October 4, 2024. Record Kicks will handle the release, with Secretly Distribution ensuring it reaches fans everywhere. This album promises to be a landmark moment in the Afrobeat genre.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Joining this dream team is Sodi Marciszewer, a producer and engineer who played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Fela Kuti’s later albums. Marciszewer’s deep understanding of Afrobeat’s intricate rhythms is sure to add a layer of authenticity to the new album.
Seun Kuti, married to Yetunde Kuti, often lends his voice to societal issues. With a powerhouse team like this at the helm, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80′s new album is set to be a force to be reckoned with.
Seun Kuti shed light on the controversial decision made by his late father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, to marry 27 women in a single day. This event, which took place in 1978, has been a subject of intrigue and speculation over the years.
During an appearance on the ‘Fresh Off The Boat’ podcast via Skype, Seun Kuti explained that his father’s decision was driven by a desire to protect the honour and dignity of his female dancers and band members.
At the time, the media had begun to label these women, who lived and worked closely with Fela, as “prostitutes.” To counter these damaging labels and preserve their respectability, Fela chose to marry them, ensuring they were seen in a different light by society.