why I named my new song after Fela Kuti – Wyclef Jean

Just when you thought the love for Fela Kuti could not go any higher

Popular singer Wyclef Jean has shown his respect for Abami Eda in a major way

He has named a song after him Fela Kuti may have died over 20 years ago, but this hasn’t stopped his music from spreading all over the world.

People from all over the world are beginning to respect the late musician’s sound. The genre of music he created Afrobeats is currently on the rise with more and more musicians sampling his work.

One of such musician is veteran Haitian musician Wyclef Jean. Speaking in a recent interview, Wyclef disclosed why he named one of his tracks on his forthcoming album after the late music icon.

“I decided to name it Fela Kuti because for me, I feel like we be thinking of [Bob] Marley, we give a lot of people from our past props, so when the kids hear Fela Kuti, I really want them to Google it,” Jean told XXL.

“Fela Kuti studied jazz in England. Wyclef studied jazz at Vailsburg High School. Fela Kuti then went back to his country and tried to help his country by running for president. Wyclef, you know, did the same thing. Then, Fela, through all his obstacles and all that, his music is what pillared him right back to the top. He understood the strongest way to help politically was to make sure the music was bangin.’ So for me, the same way kids can have songs called “Wyclef Jean” who are influenced by me, I want kids to know who Fela is and what he means.”

Well said Wyclef, well said. naij