Tutu’s Children – The music

Femi Kuti is a Nigerian musician who is committed to political and social issues. A three-time nominee for a Grammy Award in the World Music category, he has, from the proceeds of his albums, donated to AIDS awareness campaigns that contribute to the battle against the disease.

Femi is the oldest son of afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and even joined his father’s band in 1977.

Femi went on to find his own voice, however, and in 1985 formed his own band called The Positive Force. His music focuses on politics, especially related to his homeland, Nigeria. He is known for using lyrical honesty to sing about national issues.

Kesang is a folk singer and songwriter from New York.

She re-interpreted Tunisia’s national anthem during the height of the country’s revolution. The slower version is now considered a theme song for the 2011 Tunisian Revolution. Her husband, Zied Mhirsi, one of Tutu’s Children, also played an active role in the protests which eventually toppled the president, Zine el-Abedine Ben Ali.

Kesang is known for using politics to fuel her music. She also recorded a single, Tibet Will Be Free, that supports non-violent resistance.

The Chiro 5 band is a group of young instrumentalists and artists that play R&B, reggae, dance hall and African music. Chiro is the entertainment company owner, the pianist and the singer in the band.