Seun Kuti in New York

Seun Kuti is a Nigerian singer, saxophonist and bandleader who plays Afrobeat with Egypt 80, the group formerly led by his father, Fela Kuti. Born in Lagos in 1983, he is known for politically direct songs including “African Dreams” and “Black Times,” and for albums such as From Africa with Fury: Rise and Black Times. He began performing with Egypt 80 as a child and took over the band after Fela Kuti’s death in 1997. Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 subsequently toured internationally, bringing the group’s extended Afrobeat arrangements to concert halls, clubs and festivals including Glastonbury. The live show places his vocals and saxophone at the front of a large ensemble built around percussion, interlocking guitars and a horn section. That format preserves the collective identity of Egypt 80 while presenting material written under Seun Kuti’s leadership.