04 October 2011
Andy Snipper
After the acclaimed release of his latest album ‘From Africa with Fury: Rise’ (Because Music) and his rave appearances at the Royal Festival Hall and on BBC 2’s Later with Jools Holland earlier this year, Seun Anikulapo Kuti returns to the UK for two live appearances this November.
The youngest son of legendary Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti, leads his father's former band Egypt 80 and effortlessly makes live again the most original incarnation of Afrobeat. Seun began playing saxophone at age 8 and started as a backup singer for his father in Egypt 80 at age 9. He took over the band at age 15 after his father’s death. Since then, Seun has continued his father’s political and social message while adding his own perspective. "I want to make Afrobeat for my generation,” he says. “Instead of 'get up and fight,' it's going to be ‘get up and think.’”
His latest album “From Africa With Fury: Rise”* which came out this April was produced by Brian Eno, John Reynolds, and Kuti, with additional production by Godwin Logie. The critically acclaimed album captures Seun and Egypt 80’s extraordinary power, fraught with the scorching rhythms and kinetic funk energy that has earned the band worldwide acclaim as one of today’s most incendiary live acts.
The success of Seun’s recent activity in the UK has resulted in a MOBO nomination for ‘Best African Act’. The results will be announced at the MOBO Award ceremony in Glasgow on the 5th October 2011. In addition, Seun Kuti will release the blistering ‘Rise’, his first single from the album, on the 7th November.
Seun Anikulapo Kuti will be appearing with his fourteen-piece band, Egypt 80, on the following dates:
Thursday 3 November
The Kazimier
4-5 Wolstenholme Square
Liverpool, L1 4JJ
http://www.thekazimier.co.uk/
Friday 4 November
Koko
1A Camden High Street,
London, NW1 7JE
Doors 7pm
Tickets: £22.50 https://agmp.ticketabc.com/events/seun-kuti-egypt-80/
