👂 Musical stars rise and fade, but few leave an unforgettable legacy — and even fewer turn music into an act of resistance. Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Kuti is a true one-of-a-kind. If this is your first time hearing his name, you’ll find it hard to forget after listening to Higher Ground’s 13-episode breakout hit podcast series Fela Kuti: Fear No Man. The podcast asks what role art plays in a world that’s on fire, and now feels like the perfect time to tune in — especially after the icon made history as the first African to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously at the 2026 Grammys.

Three years in the making, the podcast offers an in-depth look at Kuti, leaving nothing out about the singer’s life, musical catalog, influence, and historical relevance. Hosted by Lebanese-American radio host Jad Abumrad, Fear No Man is a masterclass in audio storytelling. Featuring extensive interviews with people with whom Kuti had his closest relationships, the episodes take you through the singer’s life.

As the guests detail how their lives intersected with Kuti’s, their memories prove evocative, bringing life to what could’ve easily been a run-of-the-mill historical account. With on-theme, beat-driven, and melodic editing, the podcast unfolds as both a musical experience and a journey through a revolutionary’s life.

On top of being the pioneer of Afrobeat and a remarkable musical talent, Kuti was a political activist, an anti-colonial feminist — influenced by his mother, a women’s rights icon — and a profound influence on people. The first episode introduces us to Fela through the people who have been deeply influenced by him. Dele Sosimi, an Afrobeat musician, takes the spotlight, recounting his relationship with Fela Kuti and how Fela set him on a musical path toward healing from a traumatic experience.

“A tyrant,” “a complicated man,” and a rebel who “sang the truth.” The podcast isn’t a sycophantic portrait of Fela Kuti — it feels grounded and fully realized in its portrayal of Fela and the sociopolitical movement beyond him. It doubles as a crash course in Nigeria’s history with British colonialism, the music scene within Nigeria and across West Africa, and the inherent tension between African-American and African ideologies.

While Abumrad speaks with people who admired Kuti, he also gives voice to the critics. We learn about the reverential aspects of his life as well as the less praiseworthy ones. The podcast is a truly exciting, eye-opening listen and one we would argue is among last year’s best.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in to Fela Kuti: Fear No Man on Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Spotify | YouTube | YouTube Music.

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