Afrobeat heir Seun Kuti‘s collaboration with hip-hop pioneer Pos of De La Soul results in a sonic revolution. Their new collaboration, “Stand Well Well (Grand Stand Version),” released March 26 via Record Kicks, is an electrifying rework from Seun’s critically acclaimed, Lenny Kravitz-produced album, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head).
This deluxe edition track, ahead of the album’s extended release on May 28, breathes new life into an already potent piece. With Pos injecting sharp lyrical insight into the rhythmic backbone laid by Egypt 80, the version amplifies the track’s original call to consciousness, resilience, and integrity in an age overrun by digital noise and performative outrage.
Pos, known for his role in reshaping hip-hop through De La Soul’s poetic introspection and sonic experimentation, describes the song as a reminder to stay grounded:
“It’s about being rooted in agreeableness, resisting the whirlwind of misery disguised as entertainment online.”
His voice melds seamlessly with Seun’s fervent delivery, making the track a spiritual and cultural dialogue between Afrobeat’s revolutionary roots and hip-hop’s reflective activism.
Since their trailblazing debut 3 Feet High and Rising in 1989, De La Soul has influenced generations with their jazz-infused beats and thought-provoking themes. Pos brings this same authenticity to “Stand Well Well (Grand Stand Version)”, enhancing its message of inner fortitude and collective awareness.
Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat titan Fela Kuti, has spent decades nurturing the legacy he inherited. As the leader of Egypt 80 since his early teens, Seun has pushed the genre forward, fusing its rebellious energy with contemporary relevance. His latest record, Heavier Yet, is hailed as his most commanding body of work to date, and this new version of “Stand Well Well” exemplifies why.
The deluxe edition of Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) promises more genre-crossing magic, with reworks by heavyweights like Kamasi Washington, Alborosie, and Adi Oasis. But this particular fusion of Afrobeat and conscious hip-hop, grounded in shared defiance and mutual admiration, sets a powerful precedent.
“Stand Well Well (Grand Stand Version)” is more than a remix; it’s a rallying cry. It exhorts us to stay steadfast, concentrated, and unwavering amidst a turbulent world.
Listen HERE