Set for release on June 24, 2008, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80’s self-titled debut album tackles the corruption, ignorance, malady, sadness and pollution that ravage contemporary Africa. The orchestra is featured in our upcoming July issue.

The youngest son of legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s, Seun Kuti is leading the legendary Egypt 80, his father’s last band. Seun makes it clear that he is intent on preserving his father’s vision while exploring his own: “He was a very great man. But of course every artist wants to define himself,” he says, citing Chuck D, Dr Dre, and other hip hop legends among his musical influences. Ironically, Seun shares his first  name with former President Obasanjo, the Kuti family’s sworn enemy. Long before Obasanjo became president in 1977 following a military coup, he organized a murderous assault of over one thousand armed men on the residence of Fela. Seun’s grandmother, Funmilayo, Nigeria’s most important human rights and feminist activist, was thrown out of a window to her death by Obasanjo’s troops.

Appropriately, Seun’s songs are arrows that never miss their targets the corrupt, bribers, the oppressors. The album starts off with an extract from a recorded speech by Obasanjo and is a good summary of his dotted 30 years in power. “Mosquito Song” explains how the governments’ negligence in teaching the importance of hygiene is responsible for the effects of this plague that kills more people than AIDS.

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 will be on tour this summer audiences everywhere will be able to experience the skillful music produced by this longstanding ensemble.