Femi Kuti & The Positive Force

Throughout his prolific career, Femi Kuti has stood as a powerful voice for justice, carrying forward the revolutionary Afrobeat legacy pioneered by his father, Fela Kuti. Known for his unflinching critiques of political corruption and social inequality, Femi’s heady mix of funk, jazz and highlife has always been a tool for resistance and change.

But on Journey Through Life, his new album out in 2025 via Partisan Records, Femi turns inwards, balancing the political themes that have defined his career with deeply personal reflections on family, life, and inner growth: “I wanted to talk more about me, about my thoughts and the goals and values that have guided me all these years and led me to where I am now. I’ve never done that on an album before” says Femi.

Femi began his career as a member of Fela’s legendary band, Egypt ’80, and briefly stepped into the role of frontman when his father was imprisoned on fabricated charges in 1984. In 1986 he left to create his own band Positive Force, and has been forging his own style of Afrobeat ever since, adding doses of R&B, rock, and hip hop to the traditional Yoruba rhythms and jazzy horns. Lyrically, however, his focus has remained firmly on issues of power, oppression, and social injustice, and his activism has extended beyond music through collaborations with organizations like Global Citizen and his role as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

 

While he has always composed all of his own music, this marks the first time he has also been in charge of every aspect of production: “It was very important for me to do it this time, and probably for my future work. I am at a stage where I want to emphasize my creativity, expressing how I truly feel from deep within. I want to delve deeper — spiritually, socially, and politically as well.

 

This album is deeply personal for Femi in another way, as it was written while his daughter was going through some serious health issues: “It just made me reflect on a lot of things, and on my journey as a father.” It also follows Legacy+, the double album he worked on with his son Made: “Making music with my son reshaped the way I approach everything,” he says. “Each album feeds into the next, and without that experience, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

 

Journey Through Life represents both a continuation and a departure for Femi Kuti. While he remains committed to using his music as a vehicle for political and social change, this album marks a new chapter, one where his inner reflections take center stage. “I think I will keep going in this direction,” he says of his future work. “This album has helped me learn more about myself, and I hope it can inspire others to do the same.

 

At 62, Femi stands at a creative crossroads, poised to explore new depths while staying true to the roots that have shaped him. Journey Through Life offers a profound and personal reflection on the values, struggles, and triumphs that have defined Femi’s life, both on stage and off.