Fela: Music Is the Weapon – The Bold Biographical Graphic Novel of Nigeria's Legendary Afrobeat King and Activist

by Jibola Fagbamiye, Conor McCreery

A spectacular graphic novel about the life and times of the legendary Fela Kuti—the Pan-African frontman, multi-instrumentalist, sociopolitical powerhouse, and father of Afrobeat.

In this bold and striking graphic novel, artist Jibola Fagbamiye and writer Conor McCreery team up to tell the remarkable origin story of one of Nigeria’s most famous sons, the King of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, who rose to superstardom with his band Africa 70 in the 1970s, during a charged political period for his nation.

A once-in-a-lifetime musical talent who innovated the musical genre Afrobeat, Fela was also an outspoken critic of the Nigerian military regime. Fela focuses on a pivotal moment in his life, when he and his mother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the renowned Nigerian suffrage activist, were ruthlessly attacked in their own home by soldiers who suffered no repercussions for their violence. It also explores Fela’s complex relationship with women, including his mother and Sandra Izsadore, the American singer and activist who revitalize and inspired him. Over the course of his life, Fela married 27 women, fathered numerous children, and founded the Kalakuta Republic commune, where he and his band lived, declaring themselves independent from military rule.

As rich and original as its subject, Fela complements the historical with the surreal, featuring parallel dream world sequences, set between this realm and the next, in which Fela receives visions about his future and the dangerous path he will have to walk.

Chronicling Fela’s perilous journey to capture his destiny—to become the King of Afrobeat, and to advocate for Pan-African unity in the face of European imperialism and white supremacy—this masterful biographical graphic novel celebrates this enduring legend and his legacy, offering inspiration for our own troubled time.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Music, Nonfiction, Comics, Biography, Politics, Graphic Novels Comics Manga

384 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot - a lot a lot - of research and care went into this biographical GN of Fela Kuti. The creators not only captured a life and a movement, but used bold and creative imagery to give you the feeling of a life and a movement. I really appreciated that in the Afterward, the creators took pains to explain how they tried their best to represent a complicated and flawed elai Kuti as well as a complicated and flawed Nigeria as best they could. An impressive book!

[Gerrod Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fela: Music Is The Weapon is a stunning graphic novel that seeks to tell the story of Fela Kuti through an incredibly relevant post-colonial lens. As such, Fagbamiya and McCreery have created a compelling narrative that is very well researched and touches upon the intersection of race, gender, and socio-economic status within the political framework of Nigerian military rule. As such, Fagamiye and McCreery highlight the artistry and political spirit of Kuti in what is a remarkably important examination of post-colonial societies and intersectionality through the rise, fall, and redemption of Kuti.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I would like to thank HarperOne for listing this book in the giveaways! I was very excited about the opportunity to read this! I have never read a book like this before. So, again, thank you for choosing me as a winner!

Conor McCreery wrote this in a way that is truly inspiring, especially for today's society! I was blown away by Jibola Fagbamiye's artwork. It really brought the story to life and was just absolutely beautiful! What a great graphic novel debut! It was an honor to read this!!

"Music is a weapon of the future. Music is the weapon of the progressives. Music is the weapon of the givers of life." -Fela

Fela is a biographical graphic novel about Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. Fela Kuti was the King of Afrobeat who inspired the people of his nation through music and advocated for Pan-African unity in the 1970s, during a contentious time for his nation. This novel celebrates his legacy.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very proud of my friend, Conor McCreery for co creating this beautiful and brilliant book. His best work to date brings us the life life story, with its many twists, turns and escalations, of a gifted musical artist, truth speaking activist, powerhouse human and complicated man, Fela Kuti aka Anikulapo. The art is gorgeous and the narration and dialogue scrupulously sprinkled to bring out key moments as well as the man’s elaborate and evolving political, philosophical, musical and spiritual views. The man with death in his pouch comes very much alive in these pages. The book is as much a tale of Nigeria in the 70s and early 80s, and as much about pan Africanism, anti colonial, communal dedication, and the village surrounding the man, as it is about the man himself.

[Bradley Morgan]

My interview with the authors for the New Books Network: https://newbooksnetwork.com/fela

[Andreas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fela: Music is the Weapon is a visually stunning, gripping read that chronicles the story of one of music history's most compelling and complicated figures. A definite must read for those who love their music history (some liberties were taken but doesn't distract for the vibe) and powerful captivating story telling.

[Andy Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fela Kuti was a pioneer in so many ways. Had he simply leaned into being a musician and taken the safer path, his story might not have ended as tragically as it did. But Fela was never going to take the safe path. He spoke truth to power and suffered the consequences.

The book does not present him as a simple hero, though. Fela was brave, brilliant, and willing to stand against a corrupt and violent government, but he could also be arrogant, reckless, and cruel. At some point, it becomes fair to ask whether he started to believe his own mythology. Did he see himself as untouchable, or even as something more than human? His confidence helped make him powerful, but it may have also prevented him from recognizing his own limits.

The graphic novel blends spirituality, activism, music, triumph, and tragedy to create one of the most unique books I have read in quite some time. The artwork captures the chaos and energy of Fela’s music, while the story shows the very real cost of refusing to remain silent.

What makes Fela so interesting is that his greatest strengths and greatest flaws often seem to be the same things. His fearlessness made him a revolutionary, but it also made him reckless. His belief in himself allowed him to challenge powerful people, but it may also have caused him to believe that normal rules and consequences no longer applied to him.

Fela: Music Is the Weapon is the story of a musician who turned his life into a political statement and eventually became trapped inside the legend he created.

[Blane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fela Kuti was an incredibly gifted artist--a visionary who singlehandedly created the musical genre now known as 'Afrobeat'. A child of relative privilege in Nigeria, he was also well-versed in revolutionary politics that informed and consumed his art.

This well-researched and gorgeously rendered graphic novel tells Kuti's complex life story, adding yet another intriguing layer to this "Westerner's" knowledge and understanding of one of the world's most important 20th century voices.

Best of 2026...& I read this in January.

[Chris Barsanti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kind of musician whose infectious work turns fans into proselytizers, Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer and revolutionary flamethrower Fela Kuti has no real analog in American music. How could he?...

Full review is at the Minnesota Star Tribune.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know anything about Fela Kuti when I started this book. I listened to his music while reading and highly recommend you do the same. This was a very intense, but necessary read....maybe more so because of the current political climate in America.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous and well told.

[Books Amongst Friends · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: Gifted Hardback 🙌🏾
Research & Detail: 5/5
Overall Story: 4.5/5
Artwork/Illustration: 5/5 (I mean WOW)
Enjoyment: 4.5/5

[John Mutford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous art and poignant story of a complex artist.

[Dillon Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legendary pan-african story. A lot of songs are name dropped and listening while reading is awesome.