In Episode 5 of The Bridge: Music, War & Peace, Neil McCormick sits down with Fela Kuti — legendary Nigerian musician, Afrobeat pioneer, and outspoken political activist — for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation about the role of music as both a mirror and a catalyst in times of struggle. Together, they explore how rhythm, message, and legacy can challenge injustice, awaken awareness, and foster hope in a fractured world.

Fela shares his philosophy of using music as a “bitter medicine” — a way to sweeten hard truths and reach hearts that might otherwise resist. He addresses the ongoing crisis of modern slavery and the irony of outsourcing Africa’s wealth to Europe rather than investing in its people. In a rare reflection on his personal journey, Fela speaks about the weight of his legacy, the life-saving role of his mother’s criticism, and the responsibility of being a voice for peace and love — not just within Africa, but across the world. As always, the big question looms: can music truly change the world for the better?

This episode is a powerful look at one artist’s unshakable belief in music as a force for truth, unity, and liberation.

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