Seun Kuti, one of Nigeria and Africa's most vocal musicians, has long used his Afrobeat music to address issues affecting everyday people. His latest project, 'Na Dem', explores Nigeria's current sociopolitical landscape and a misplaced global moral compass. The Grammy-nominated icon points out the forces robbing the common man of a decent life, while employing soaring notes and swinging drums to spread hope and share delight.
The album opener, 'Adara', is a prayer sharing a message of hope and prosperity for the common man. Kuti leads his band, Egypt 80, in a call for the economic elite and political class to return the commonwealth to be shared equitably. The musicality of the album captures Kuti's Afropolitan approach, blending rap flows, African folk drums, and revolutionary jazz horns to restate the need for originality.
On 'Real Life', Kuti switches from rap flows to melodies, maintaining an equal level of aggression, taking jabs at fake celebrity lifestyles, the deep state, and global wokeism. He sings angrily about wanting a real life, not merely for himself, but for a world lost in destructive performativeness. The drums accelerate into a soukous pattern on 'Problems', where Kuti reflects on life's transience and hardships.
Kuti's brand of Afrobeat has always embraced other genres, from hip-hop to Afropop. He has previously collaborated with artists such as Janelle Monáe, Black Thought, Fireboy, and Odumodublvck. On 'As How', he explores gyration, Nigeria's revolutionary and morale-boosting style, to rally the masses to fight for their rights.
The title track, 'Na Dem', features Kuti aligning with the common man to face off against the political, economic, and social elite in a battle of good versus evil. Tom Morello's swashbuckling guitar solo and Kuti's use of Pidgin English and Yoruba lyrics deliver the strongest track on the project.
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 turn to soul on 'Devil Just Busy', where Kuti ponders the evil roaming the world and corrupting human minds and institutions. Grammy-winning Rastafarian Kabaka Pyramid delivers a fitting verse on 'Problems', uniting the spiritual and mentally stimulating sounds of Afrobeat and reggae.
The album demonstrates Seun Kuti's ability to operate across different musical worlds while firmly standing with the masses whose plight he shares across borders. He offers a message of hope and rallies them to stand up and fight for their rights. The album 'Na Dem' has been rated 8.2 out of 10 by Pulse Nigeria, with high scores in songwriting, themes, and delivery.
Key points
- Seun Kuti's 'Na Dem' explores Nigeria's sociopolitical landscape and global moral compass through Afrobeat music.
- The album features collaborations with artists such as Tom Morello and Kabaka Pyramid.
- Kuti's music aims to spread hope and rally the masses to fight for their rights.
