As the son of one of world music's most influential figureheads, Seun Kuti has had to follow in some pretty large footsteps. His father, the renowned composer and activist Fela Kuti not only pioneered the musical styling of the Afrobeat movement but also became a powerful and influential voice in shaping its political context. However, Seun, the youngest son of Fela, has successfully emerged from his fathers considerable shadow to successfully carry the Afrobeat torch his father so famously lit all those years ago.

Now, in what is a major coup for FeileAfrica, Seun Kuti and his largely populated band, Egypt 80, (numbering close to 20 people on the road) has been lured to Cork for the city's first mega Afrobeat session. With the same energetic and booming voice as Fela, Seun has added his own raging rhythm, clearly influenced by rap. He cites Chuck D, Dr Dre and Eminem among his musical heroes. And, just like his father, Seun reputation as a powerful live performer precedes him. His first American tour, last summer, was on everybody's lips. The Egypt 80 musicians only got their visas after Barack Obama intervened and their concert in Chicago practically became a riot as hundreds of spectators leapt onto the stage, much to the distaste of the security services. The festival organiser later declared it the best concert of his life! The people of Cork get the chance to fight the power and revel in the ecstasy when Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 plays the Savoy Theatre on Wednesday, October 1.

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