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London,

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80

Description: Afrobeat by the Nigerian singer-songwriter and son of Fela.



Rating: 4 out of 5 Jane Cornwell's rating
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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Cargo Rivington Street, Kingsland Viaduct, EC2A 3AY

Phone: 0207739 3440

Website: www.cargo-london.com

Email: cargomanagers@cantaloupegroup.co.uk

Extra info: Food, Pub, Party Hire, Air Conditioning

Transport: Rail/Tube: Old Street/Liverpool Street Transport for London , Tube / Bus: 26, 35, 47, 48, 67, 78, 149, 242 Transport for London

Seun Kuti follows father's footsteps

Seun Kuti
Prankster and politico: Seun Kuti

By Jane Cornwell
15 Dec 2008


Some 20 years ago in Lagos, Nigeria, a bare-chested man with a saxophone stood in front of a big dance band and exhorted crowds to fight corruption.

Last night his youngest son did the same. Part prankster, part politico, Seun Kuti blasted alto sax riffs, sang lyrics in Pidgin English, delivered a rousing pro‑Africa diatribe.

At just 26, having fronted his father’s Afrobeat juggernaut Egypt 80 since the age of 15, Seun Kuti is channelling the charisma and energy of his iconic dad. He did so earlier this year at the Barbican, a venue that was too austere for his earthy, sweaty mix of funk, jazz and African rhythms.

In this more intimate setting, preceded by the Fela Kuti remixes of DJ Eric Soul, Kuti went off like a bullet.

Surrounded by seasoned elders on horns, keyboards, guitars and a giant conga beaten with what looked like baseball bats, Kuti covered his father’s songs (Army Arrangement, Shuffering and Shmiling) before cherry-picking from his acclaimed debut, Many Things.

In between he told jokes, involved us in some lively call-and-response and, ever his father’s son, admired his backing dancer’s gyrating nyash (backside). Encores finished, he raised his fists in the air like a prize fighter.

Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

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