Upholding a legacy as grand as that which follows the name “Anikulapo Kuti” (Anikulapo meaning: “one who carries death in his pocket”) can prove a daunting affair. However, it is one that Seun Kuti has never relented in pushing forward as the youngest son of African music maverick and afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti. For his first album in 6 years, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head), he returns with Egypt 80 (his father’s former band, which he inherited following his death in 1997) as rebellious and engulfed in displeasure as ever.
Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head), the fruit of Seun Kuti’s collaborative effort with executive producer Lenny Kravitz is a glossy amalgam of diasporic sounds from funky reggae rap to smooth soul grooves. But beneath the surface, is a call-to-action towards revolution — a stance that is almost synonymous with the family name. On this project, Seun adopts his father’s radical, no-holds-barred lyricism.
The project opens with “T.O.P”, a soulful number lined with flavourful guitar riffs as Seun decries the notion of materialism. Its title nods to Fela’s disbarred political party, Movement of the People (MOP) which Seun recently revived. “Dey” makes a case for togetherness alongside Damian Marley who spices the uptempo track with Jamaican-rap. The polyrhythmic “Emi Aluta” employs heart-pounding percussion, snarling horns and heavy baselines as Seun and Zambian-born rapper Sampa The Great take turns giving praise to African revolutionaries. “Move” is well, sure to make you move.
