Femi Kuti & The Positive Force

Join us for an unforgettable night of Afrobeat magic as the legendary Femi Kuti lights up The UC Theatre! Femi Kuti continues the legacy of his father, Fela Kuti, while carving his own path as a global icon. Four time grammy-nominee Femi Kuti is going to perform a show that will speak to the soul. Femi has captivated audiences worldwide with his powerful horn lines, infectious grooves, and steadfast dedication. Don’t miss this night of grooves and powerful messages!

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 2025via 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