Multiple Grammy-nominated Afrobeat luminary Femi Anikulapo-Kuti is set to release his highly anticipated eleventh studio album, Journey Through Life, on April 25, 2025. This upcoming project is already being hailed as one of the most politically charged and musically adventurous efforts of his storied career.
The announcement follows the success of three powerful lead singles—Politics Don Expose Dem (November), After 24 Years (February), and Oga Doctor (March)—each offering a glimpse into the album’s unflinching message and rich sonic textures. These tracks have generated significant buzz, hinting at a project steeped in truth-telling, resilience, and musical mastery.
A Legacy Carried Forward
With a ten-track lineup that blends pulsating polyrhythms, blazing horn arrangements, and uncompromising social commentary, Journey Through Life builds on the Afrobeat foundations laid by Femi’s father, the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, while carving out bold new directions.
“Journey Through Life represents my unwavering commitment to the Afrobeat tradition as a weapon against injustice,” Femi says. “These songs continue the fight my father began—confronting systems of oppression with rhythm, truth, and spirit.”
Tracks like Corruption Na Stealing, Think My People Think, and Chop and Run drive home that ethos, marrying groove with gravitas in the tradition of classic Afrobeat, yet unmistakably bearing Femi’s distinctive voice.
A Musical Force for Four Decades
Since debuting with No Cause For Alarm in 1989, Femi has been a relentless innovator. Albums such as Shoki Shoki (1998), Fight to Win (2001), and Stop the Hate (2021) have showcased his ability to fuse Afrobeat with jazz, funk, and traditional Nigerian sounds. With six Grammy nominations, global collaborations with the likes of Coldplay, Mos Def, Common, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, and consistent critical acclaim, Femi has propelled Afrobeat onto the world stage without compromising its radical heart.
Renowned for his explosive live performances and virtuosic saxophone skills, Femi continues to be a cultural beacon—challenging authority, defending the disenfranchised, and celebrating African identity with every note.
A Contemporary Call to Conscience
Journey Through Life arrives at a turbulent time in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, and Femi does not shy away from confrontation. Politics Don Expose Dem dissects the ways politicians exploit ethnic and religious divisions, while After 24 Years offers a reflective meditation on the nation's progress—or lack thereof—since the return to democracy.
Each song confronts reality head-on, yet pulses with the infectious energy that has long defined Femi’s sound. It is both a reckoning and a rallying cry—a testament to music’s power to provoke, inspire, and unify.
A Shrine Celebration
To celebrate the release, Femi Kuti will host an exclusive album listening session and media briefing on April 27, 2025, at the iconic New Afrika Shrine in Lagos. The event promises an intimate listening experience and a rare chance for media and invited guests to engage with one of Africa’s most enduring and influential musical voices.
As the world prepares to journey through Femi’s latest offering, one thing is clear: Afrobeat remains as urgent, relevant, and revolutionary as ever—and Femi Kuti is still leading the charge.