The Fearless Fela Kuti, with Jad Abumrad

Writer, composer, and Peabody Award-winning podcaster Jad Abumrad joins Kirk to talk about Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, his new 12-part series on the life, music, and legacy of Afrobeat superstar Fela Kuti.

DISCUSSED/REFERENCED:

• “Miryea’s Death” by Jack Nitzche from Revenge • , 1990 • “Prologue” by Alexandre Desplat from Birth • , 2004 • Excerpt from Port(al), music by Paola Prestini and Jad Abumrad, performed by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus • “It’s Highlife Time” and “Amaechi’s Blues” by Fela Kuti and his Koola Lobitos, ca. 1963-69 • “Jeun Ko Ku,” “Eko Ile,” and “Je’nwi Temi” by Fela Kuti from Afrodesiac • , 1973 • “Zombie” by Fela Kuti from Zombie • , 1976 • “The Great Curve” by Talking Heads from Remain in Light • , 1980 • “Life During Wartime” and “Once in a Lifetime” by Talking Heads from Stop Making Sense • , 1984 • “The Prince We Never Knew“ - Sasha Weiss’ essential New York Times feature • on Ezra Edelman’s unreleased Prince documentary • “RITUAL” by Jon Hopkins from Ritual • , 2024 • “Open Eye Signal” by Jon Hopkins from Immunity • , 2013 • “A Quiet Glow” by Siavash Amini from Songs for Sad Poets • , 2022 • “In The Dust of This Planet” - 2014 Radiolab Episode featuring the poetry of Eugene Thacker • “The Right Man (Daniele Baldelli & Marco Dionigi Cosmic Remix)” from The Units - Connections • , 2011 • “quiero sentirme bien” by Kali Uchis from Sin Miedo • , 2020 • “Looking for Love” by The Tallest Man On Earth from Henry St. • , 2023 • “Sweet Surrender” by Sarah McLachlan from Mirrorball • , 1999

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