Live

Seun Kuti: Electric Brixton, London 2/3/18

It can't be easy being the child of an icon. While having a famous name can open some doors, it also carries a huge weight of expectation. Such is the case for Seun Kuti, whose father Fela is credited with creating the Afrobeat genre, fusing traditional Nigerian music with funk and jazz to tremendous effect. But Seun is such an accomplished musician that it was no surprise to see him in front of a packed audience at Electric Brixton in south London.

He was joined by his father's old band, Egypt 80, a phenomenal collective of musicians responsible for some of the greatest music ever to originate from Africa.

Seun has just released new long player "Black Times", a sprawling collection of Afrobeat tracks which sits well among the groundbreaking music created by the Kuti family. Music from the record made up a large part of the performance, with "Last Revolutionary" and "African Dreams" among the many standout moments.

Seun is a musician, like his father, who deserves to be listened to. 
The gaps between tracks are frequently filled with speeches about African power and pride, and he's an engaging speaker.

The set he delivered was epic - a two-hour-plus jam performed by accomplished musicians.

His music can be joyful, sorrowful and thought-provoking, and his show demonstrated yet again that he is a natural showman. Seun's energy didn't let up, as he danced, sang and played the sax throughout his set.

Surrounded by some of the best musicians on the Afrobeat scene, Seun is an artist well worth watching.

PHOTOS: DAVE BURKE
Words Dave Burke