The latest album by Nigerian musician Femi Kuti and his band Positive Force has it all-politically and musically. The title track is a rallying cry all socialists will applaud. ‘Fight To Win’ addresses the endless suffering of the African masses, and Femi sees the struggles of the people as a positive action.
His message is simple without being preachy. Songs like ‘Stop AIDS’ is a pan-African public service announcement with humour, style and a driving funk beat.
‘One Day Someday’ speaks of African freedom through the unity of its peoples, against the corruption of their leaders. Unfortunately Femi thinks he can appeal to the humanity of the corrupt leaders, but this song has the emotion and power of US soul classics. It is full of hope in the possibility of change.
He sees revolution as a stated fact, not pie in the sky as our leaders would have us believe. The music is roof raising. It has soulful pumping funk basslines mixed with traditional African roots and lyrically superb hip-hop.
It has delicate yet frenetic Nigerian Afro-beat fused with a wall of sound horn section that would make Phil Spector spin in appreciation. If this album isn’t in the top ten by next week there is something definitely very wrong with the music industry!
He got cancelled once—and it’s not the song you think it is
A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes review
Socialist Worker wishes happy birthday to the Doctor
