Femi Kuti and The Positive Force at Band on the Wall
Johnny James, Managing Editor
This January, legendary Afrobeat artist Femi Kuti plays an intimate Manchester date with his band, The Positive Force.
Being the son of Afrobeat’s founder, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, must be something of a mixed blessing. Fela, the uncompromising alchemist, has no equal, and to operate in his long shadow can’t be easy. And yet Femi Kuti could have asked for no better mentor than his father, whose blend of traditional Nigerian drum patterns, highlife and American soul, funk and R&B began a movement that would forever change the face of African music, and inspire musicians around the world to use their art as a weapon to fight for justice and freedom.
But Afrobeat’s heir apparent since 1997 hasn’t just traced his father’s footsteps – he’s widened the whole Afrobeat vision. In Femi’s hands, the genre’s vocabulary has widely expanded, embracing elements of punk, electro, and hip-hop. The political message is up-to-the-minute, too, with Femi’s lyrics dealing primarily with the present-tense problems of African societies, with a special emphasis on corruption.
Femi released his first solo album, Shoki Shoki, in 1998, when it became an instant classic. The ferocious groove and life-affirming energy of ‘Truth Don Die’ (re-recorded 2005) is irrepressible, while ‘Beng Beng Beng’ – a huge pan-African hit – saw Femi turn his focus towards personal relationships (specifically, getting it on) rather than political realities, revolving around a horn-centred groove to flip out to.
Since then, Femi Kuti has worked with an astonishing array of artists, from Coldplay to electronic producer Robert Hood and French hip-hop group IAM. More recently, in 2021, Femi released Legacy +, a double album on Partisan Records. This special collection features Stop The Hate, since released as an album in its own right, alongside For(e)ward, the debut album from Femi’s eldest son, Made Kuti.
Stop The Hate showcases Femi’s signature Afrobeat sound, honed over a storied career, and reflects his unwavering commitment to political and social activism. One of many highlights, the track ‘PaPaPa’ received glowing acclaim from international critics and earned a nomination at the 2022 Grammy Awards.
Expect to hear a lot of this album (still his most recent solo record) at Band on the Wall, alongside tracks from across the iconic artist’s career. Live, Femi and his ensemble, The Positive Force, are renowned for their relentless energy and exhilarating, vibrant performances, which captivate audiences worldwide.
The perfect remedy for that post-Christmas blues, don’t miss this chance to experience an electrifying celebration of Africa in the heart of Manchester.
