The Fearless Fela Kuti, with Jad Abumrad

November 14, 2025·1 hr 57 min·5 clips

How did a Black Panther activist and Malcolm X's book turn Fela Kuti from a jazz musician into a political Afrobeat pioneer?

This episode of Strong Songs features host Kirk Hamilton interviewing acclaimed audio producer Jad Abumrad about his new 12-part series, "Fela Kuti, Fear No Man." Abumrad is the creator of the influential show Radiolab and the Peabody Award-winning series "Dolly Parton's America." The conversation explores Abumrad's musical background, his journey into audio storytelling, and the ambitious process of documenting the life of Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Abumrad recounts growing up in Nashville, where he was placed in a practice room at the Blair School of Music as a child, fostering an early passion for film scoring. He cites scores by Jack Nitzsche for the film *Revenge* and Alexandre Desplat for *Birth* as formative influences on his understanding of music's narrative power. Abumrad studied music composition at Oberlin College, where he was exposed to avant-garde works, including a senior thesis piece that involved sawing a piano in half with a chainsaw. His initial plan for the Fela Kuti series was more modest, but after conducting approximately 100 preliminary interviews, he realized the story required a broader scope to encompass the African independence movement. The series team includes producers like Gofén Mutubwele, Oluwakemi Adesanya, Ruby Heron Walsh, Ben Adair, and Ian Wheeler. A surprising insight is that Abumrad's first major hosting role came by accident when, after 9/11, his station's program director tasked him with creating and hosting a three-hour documentary show with only a week's notice. He describes a period of "benign neglect" early in Radiolab's run, where the show aired on a low-power AM station that was required to shut off at 8 p.m., effectively giving him years to find his voice without an audience. Abumrad reveals he remains an obsessive editor, personally crafting the final audio mix, including the precise timing of pauses and musical cues, which he considers "the music under the story." He and Hamilton bond over the physical challenge of finding a comfortable vocal register, with Abumrad noting his early voice was fraught with tension. The tone is a conversational and reflective dialogue between two seasoned audio creators who share a deep appreciation for the craft. The style is educational and introspective, weaving personal biography with broader discussions about artistic process and media trends. Listeners who love deep dives into the art of audio storytelling, music history, or the creative minds behind iconic podcasts will find this episode captivating. Those seeking a direct analysis of Fela Kuti's songs or a fast-paced, highly produced narrative might prefer to skip ahead to the included full episode of "Fela Kuti, Fear No Man" that follows this interview.

As heard by us

A steady interview about Jad Abumrad's move from landmark audio work toward music-first storytelling.

Jad Abumrad comes through as a seasoned audio maker who has moved from Radiolab and Dolly Parton's America into a more music-centered stretch. The conversation keeps a patient pace.

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Why you'd press play

Want a smart, generous conversation about making music with your ears?

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