Femi Kuti Journey Through Life
Femi Kuti's Journey Through Life arrives as a measured reaffirmation of Afrobeat's activist heart, where pointed critique and dance-floor propulsion share equal weight. Critics agree the collection's strongest moments are overtly political - notably “Politics Don Expose Them”, “After 24 Years” and “Chop And Run” - songs that marry urgent grooves with clear-eyed commentary on corruption and social pain.
Across three professional reviews the record earned a 63.33/100 consensus score, a reflection of both admiration and reservation. Reviewers consistently praise Kuti's self-production and the album's commitment to Afrobeat tradition and family legacy, highlighting how tracks like “Shotan” and the title cut “Journey Through Life” blend reflective lyricism with refreshed arrangements. Critics note recurring themes of political protest, danceable protest music, and personal reflection; several reviews single out re-recordings and renewed takes on older material as evidence of renewal rather than retreat into nostalgia.
While some reviewers laud the coherence and immediacy of the protest anthems, others temper enthusiasm, pointing to uneven pacing across longform grooves. The critical consensus suggests Journey Through Life is worth attention for its standout protest tracks and its affirmation of Afrobeat legacy, even as opinions diverge on whether the record fully sustains its best ideas. Read on for detailed reviews and track-by-track notes that unpack where the album succeeds and where it falters.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Politics Don Expose Them
3 mentions
"the furiously funky "Politics Don Expose Them" eviscerate past and present Nigerian leaders"— The Line of Best Fit
After 24 Years
3 mentions
"Both "24 Years Later" (a long-time live favourite recorded for the first time)"— The Line of Best Fit
Chop And Run
3 mentions
"reflective rage and exasperation of "Chop and Run""— The Line of Best Fit
the furiously funky "Politics Don Expose Them" eviscerate past and present Nigerian leaders
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Journey Through Life
Chop And Run
After 24 Years
Corruption na Stealing
Politics Don Expose Them
Shotan
Oga Doctor
Last Mugu
Work on Myself
Think My People Think
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 3 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Femi Kuti’s Journey Through Life finds its best tracks in the pointed, pulsing politics of “Politics Don Expose Them” and the reflective momentum of “Journey Through Life”. The review gives special attention to “24 Years Later” and “Chop and Run” as songs that marry historical weight with urgent grooves, while “Shotan” is noted for moving closer to post-punk-funk than classic longform afrobeat. The reviewer praises Kuti’s first self-produced record for keeping the afrobeat flame alive without surrendering to nostalgia, and highlights how the album balances public protest and private reflection.
Key Points
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The best song, "Politics Don Expose Them", is the album's fiercest political statement with a furiously funky attack.
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The album's core strengths are its commitment to afrobeat tradition while injecting fresh energy, personal reflection and sharper production.
Themes
Fa
Critic's Take
Journey Through Life finds Femi Kuti both honoring and extending his family’s musical mission, with the best tracks being the politically charged “Corruption na Stealing” and the aching “After 24 Years”. Ben Forrest praises the way “Corruption na Stealing” crystallises Kuti’s Afrobeat activism and calls “After 24 Years” one of the record’s most passionate entries, while “Politics Don Expose Them” and “Shotan” supply propulsive grooves that keep the album danceable as well as didactic. The record is celebrated for coherent production and a continuous message of hope and unity, making these songs the standout moments on the album in both message and melody.
Key Points
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“Corruption na Stealing” is the best song because it crystallises Kuti’s blend of Afrobeat rhythms and defiant political activism.
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The album’s core strength is coherent, self-produced arrangements that keep protest music danceable and sonically rich.
Themes
Critic's Take
On Femi Kuti's Journey Through Life the best songs are the political call-to-arms pieces, notably “Politics Don Expose Them” and “Chop And Run”. The reviewer praises how “Politics Don Expose Them” kicks off with a great groove and blaring sax, and highlights the stately brass of “Chop And Run” and “After 24 Years” as prime examples of his protest music. He also notes inward moments like “Work on Myself” and the title track, but argues the fighting-against-oppression numbers drive Kuti to greater heights. Overall, the album is a pleasant reflection that mixes reimagining with forward-looking energy.
Key Points
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Politics Don Expose Them is best for its groove, blaring sax and spotlight lyrics.
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Album strengths: political call-to-arms tracks, reflective re-recordings, and energized Afrobeat arrangements.