Femi Kuti Unveils New Album Journey Through Life: A Soulful Odyssey Through Family, Politics, and Afrobeat Legacy
Legendary Afrobeat pioneer Femi Kuti has released his highly anticipated eleventh studio album, Journey Through Life, a profound 10-track project that intertwines personal introspection with his trademark fiery socio-political commentary. Out now via Partisan Records, the album marks Femi’s first entirely self-produced work, recorded in Nigeria at the Legacy Plus Studios and mixed by Sodi in Paris.
Album Overview
- Title: Journey Through Life
- Release Date: April 25, 2025 (Digital/CD),
- May 16, 2025 (Limited Orange Vinyl) .
- Label: Partisan Records
- Producer: Femi Kuti (first solo production credit) .
- Genre: Afrobeat infused with jazz, funk, and Yoruba traditions .
- Featured Singles:”Politics Don Expose Them” (Nov 2024) – A scathing critique of political hypocrisy .
– “After 24 Years” (Feb 2025) – A mournful reflection on Nigeria’s democratic failures since 1999 .
– “Oga Doctor” (Mar 2025) – A satirical take on medical exploitation .
Themes and Sound: A Bittersweet Masterpiece
Femi describes the album as “a summary of my life from childhood to adulthood”, blending familial love (“Journey Through Life”) with unflinching activism (“Corruption Na Stealing”, “Chop and Run”) . Tracks like “After 24 Years” lament Nigeria’s cyclical corruption, echoing his 1998 hit “Sorry Sorry”, while “Politics Don Expose Them” skewers tribalist propaganda .
Musically, the album thrives on pulsating horn sections, polyrhythmic percussion, and Femi’s incendiary saxophone solos, staying true to Afrobeat’s roots while pushing boundaries .
Tracklist:
1. Journey Through Life
2. Chop and Run
3. After 24 Years
4. Corruption Na Stealing
5. Politics Don Expose Them
6. Shotan
7. Oga Doctor
8. Last Mugu
9. Work On Myself
10. Think My People Think
Reception and Legacy
Early reviews hail Journey Through Life as a “testament to Femi’s enduring creativity”, balancing Fela’s revolutionary spirit with contemporary relevance . The album follows his 2021 Grammy-nominated Stop the Hate and reinforces his status as a global Afrobeat ambassador through collaborations with artists like Coldplay and Common .
Final Verdict
Journey Through Life is a must-listen for Afrobeat purists and new audiences alike. Femi’s solo production debut showcases his artistic evolution, marrying soulful vulnerability with unrelenting activism. As he gears up for a listening session at Lagos’ New Afrika Shrine today (April 27), the album solidifies his legacy as a torchbearer of truth and rhythm .
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