Fela Kuti, lately the subject of a Broadway musical, pioneered Afrobeat in the 1970s. The politically volatile Nigerian funk music soon attained worldwide popularity, profoundly influencing Western artists from Roy Ayers to David Byrne.
Fresh off a brilliant new record, From Africa With Fury: Rise, made with producer Brian Eno, the firebrand saxophonist Seun Kuti keeps his father’s tradition and band, the seasoned powerhouse Egypt 80, in circulation. An intensely physical performer, Seun Kuti unites musical abandon and social conscience into a sheer force of nature. His large combo’s blazing rhythms and incantatory vocals will be the most visceral sounds to shake local stages this year.
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Thursday, April 5 • 8 pm
Page Auditorium
Tickets: $38 • $30 • $20 • $5 Duke students
Tickets for all concerts on sale through Duke Performances’ website: www.dukeperformances.org, at the Duke University Box Office on the top level of the Bryan Center, or by calling (919) 684-4444.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
