Out of Africa
On "Day By Day," his first album of new material in seven years, Femi Kuti targets the mind with songs that lament the corruption and fear in his homeland of Nigeria. The singer and instrumentalist also aims for the hips with dense polyrhythms and humid jazz flights featuring layers of organ, horns, and guitar. By combining myriad styles, including funk and Afrobeat, with an eye toward Africa's serious social and political issues, Kuti, 46, and his 17-member band are carrying on the tradition passed down by his father, the late world music legend Fela Kuti. During his recording hiatus the son has held several "Fela-brations," including some at his Shrine nightclub in Lagos, where he plays three nights a week. We chatted with Kuti by phone from his home as he prepared for the tour that brings him to the Paradise tomorrow night.
Q. In songs like "Demo Crazy" and "You Better Ask Yourself," you are not only critical of political leaders for the damage they've done but also of people who wait for a savior to solve their problems.
A. They are waiting for Jesus to come down the stairs with a torchlight Hollywood-style. Religion has become [such a force], everybody's so afraid of Jesus, God, and the church. They are too afraid to fight. Nigerians like life too much; they will give themselves any excuse not to fight.
Q. Even as you write and sing about struggle, your music has a very positive, uplifting tone. How do you manage that?
A. I studied the trumpet for seven years and piano and organ and more current sounds. I thought the trumpet would make my music more aggressive because I was very angry. But it made me more subtle and more mature; it changed everything about me. I'm more at peace.
Q. As someone who follows world politics, how did you feel when Barack Obama was elected?
A. I was very glad. But I was more pleased at the fact that . . . I couldn't believe that the American people had changed so much. I think that's what surprised McCain and everybody, that there's a new generation that doesn't think about racism, they just want to be happy and that really shocked me.
Q. Why are you coming over during the coldest time in the United States? A. Ah. [Laughs.] I don't know why we booked the tour for when it is freezing, I think they want me to freeze to death! 