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, History, Politics

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!

[Jeff Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fela: Music is the Weapon is a graphic biography of one of the most impactful and controversial musicians in history, the King of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti.

This book is so intensely researched. I felt like I was reading an actual biography rather than a comic book. The artwork is just astounding. Beautiful colors and psychedelia.

My only complaint is that it might have been a bit too much of a deep dive for the average reader. It was an intense read and felt a bit like a chore at times, despite its greatness.

[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 Corrinne · 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.

[Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

No way to pass up a graphic novelization of Fela's life, this book was wonderfully illustrated, the storyline, while amended in some places for the sake of a more linear narrative is really well articulated.

There were many anecdotes I had not read in other biographies and histories, and the visual storytelling aligned effectively to convey the emotion with the spiritual squishy sides of the history and to describe Fela's experience of that life lived.

Such a happy accident, never skip a good looking new book in your library!

[Mary Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Who jails society when it does horrors to people?"

The life story of Fela Kuti is a powerful and beautiful one which this graphic novel does complete justice to. The art is incredible, the storytelling moves you much akin to the music of this late legend. If you're not big on graphic novels and you'd only ever read one, make it this one.

[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.

[Renata · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently listened to the Fela Kuti: Fear No Man podcast and was soo interested in learning more about this musician/activist.

Unfortunately I think I might have been better served by reading this first, then the podcast? The podcast definitely went into more depth, and I was sort of troubled/turned off by the fictionalized elements of this story. (Like having parts of it be in first person from Fela's POV when, you know, he died decades ago.) I understand the creators' right to take artistic liberties but I just didn't prefer it. (In the afterword he explains which historical events/personalities were condensed/streamlined and I understand that more than the POV and magical elements, personally...)

The art is really stunning though and I think it's a good overview.

Oh also the lettering is sometimes hard to read.

[Nathan Forsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who wants to learn about Fela, Nigeria's history, or a historical badass. Such a good overview of Fela Kuti's life, music, and activism. The book also tells a complete picture of Fela as it does not shy away from his negative traits such as Fela's hubris as a savior/martyr of Nigeria and Africa as well as his misogyny. The artwork is incredible, especially the spiritual scenes; although, the art for Paul McCartney could have used a go around.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the use of the gutters in the graphic novel to showcase Fela and his band's "downfall." The first 3/4th of the book, the gutters are the traditional white, at the start of the "downfall," the gutters become black. I have never seen the gutters of a graphic novel used to enhance the psyche of the character and story.

[Jim Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Fagbamiye and McCreery have put together a really powerful look at the life of Fela Kuti that doesn’t shy away from his faults while still showing us all the ways in which he was truly remarkable. They give a lot of context to the decisions Fela made, and also show the downward spiral that took place after the government raided Kalakuta. Fagbamiye’s art is wonderful - I could hear the rhythm during scenes of Fela performing, and really liked the way the paper colour shifted as things got darker in Fela’s life. The framing sequence on the spiritual plane took some getting used to, but made so much sense in the end. This was a great book paying homage to a truly great man. It’s left me wanting to play a bunch of his albums again.

[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.

[Laura Hyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a journey, an arc

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars…highly recommend finding time to read while also playing the songs mentioned in background

[juanmonique · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good GN. I've always loved Fela Kuti's music, and now I know so much more about him from this book. Plus the artwork in this GN is fabulous.