Wyclef Jean of the Fugees fame is releasing a new album September this year titled ”Carnival III: The Fall And Rise Of A Refugee”. A new single has been released off the album and it was named after the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Wyclef has admitted to be heavily influenced by the late afrobeats several times in the past. Produced by Supah Mario, “Fela Kuti,” is an ode to not only good times, but to the influential Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, a staple of 1970s Afrobeat and jazz music.
On his decision to name the song after Fela, he said:
“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 tells 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.
Check out the full interview here: Wyclef Jean Releases ‘Fela Kuti,’ Announces ‘Carnival III’ Release Date – XXL
Source: XXL Magazine