Femi Kuti is an iconic presence in African music as the charismatic leader of the Afrobeat movement.

Like his late father, Fela Kuti, he's a saxophonist, singer and songwriter.

Fela was a legendary figure in music and politics, the initiator of Afrobeat and constant critic of his government.

The music's unique mix of horns, vocals and drums has grown to accommodate Femi's collaborators, including Macy Gray and the Roots. Mos Def and Money Mark appear on the current CD Fight To Win. He has inherited his father's drive and talent.

"I don't play Fela's music, I play my own. I write and compose the tracks. His influence is great but I am not Fela. He was an amazing man. I learnt a lot from him."

Fela's confrontations with the Nigerian authorities were a world away from the tantrums and tiaras of pop. His family's compound was regularly raided and Fela served several dubious jail terms.

During a disagreement with his London record company he occupied their offices for days, with an entourage that included several wives.

When the party left, the story goes that a wife had given birth in the office, leaving the placenta in a waste bin. Somehow the Gallaghers and John Lydon don't look quite so rebellious.

Femi doesn't hide from the issues that are part of the whole Fela package. His father defended African interests against the financial priorities of the global establishment.

He ignored the trappings of the West and its morality, symbolised by his simultaneous marriage to 27 of his band's singers. His avoidance of condoms ("a product of the West") contributed to his death from Aids in 1997.

"Fela fought the system and was severely punished by it. I also put forward my views but in a controlled way, through my music, my touring, foreign media and, more recently, as a representative for UNICEF, fighting AIDS. Other artists voice their opinions but not so aggressively as we have done."

Other family members have been prominent social campaigners. Femi's cousin is Nobel Prize-winner Wole Soyinka.

Femi has set up an organisation to combat oppression, the Movement Against Second Slavery.

The stakes are high, nothing less than a new beginning for the combined African nations. He's not daunted by this task.

"No, Fela did it for me and his family, I am doing it for my son and my family. Africans need to help themselves, not rely on foreign governments. Foreign companies need to start investing in Africa.

"It is a slow battle but we have to change things."

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