By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – This Wednesday, March 14th, Nigerian musician Sean Kuti will perform at the Blue Note Rio, in Lagoa. Youngest son of legendary Fela Kuti, known as “the father of Afrobeat”, Sean Kuti will share the stage with band Egypt 80 in two sets, at 8PM and 10:30 PM.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Seun Kuti is deeply involved with the Afrobeat musical universe since he was 14 years-old, when Fela Kuti passed away. From ten on, Seun has been the leader of Egypt 80, Afrobeat band created by his father, in 1979.
Along with his brother Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti is considered the very name for the Afrobeat movement. Founded by Fela Kuti in the 1960s, the Afrobeat aimed to promote the African musical roots through a social-political approach.
Today, Seun stands out for sticking to the Afrobeat essence – which blends jazz, funk and African rhythms – without discarding the contemporary references. Thus, Seun’s musical production is strongly marked by the dialogue between genres like Afrobeat, hip-hop, soul, R&B and electronic music.
This month, Kuti and Egypt 80 release “Black Times”, the artist’s fourth album. Co-produced by American pianist Robert Glasper, and including the special participation of guitarist Carlos Santana, the album invites the audience for a reflection on black history in order to think the black future.
Combined with sophisticated musical arrangements, the lyrics show up as a shout out against inequalities that affect the black people across the world.
Fan of Brazilian music, Seun Kuti will release “Black Times” to the Brazilian audience this Wednesday, March 14th, at the Blue Note Rio, in Lagoa. Having already played in Rio in 2010, in the Back2Black Festival, Seun and Egypt 80 will also perform in São Paulo on Thursday, March 15th, at SESC Pompéia.
Opening the show will be DJ Daniel Tamembi, journalist and musical researcher. What’s more, the night will include the participation of Karol Conka, great hip-hop and rap singer, who performed at the opening show of Rio 2016 Olympics.
What: Seun Kuti and Egypt 80
When: Wednesday, 14th – 8PM and 10:30 PM
Where: Blue Note Rio – Avenida Borges de Medeiros, 1424 – Lagoa
Entrance: R$75 – R$150