Femi Kuti's rhythms for a reason

Except at the fringes, American popular music has become so bereft of political messages over the past decade that a performance by an outspoken artist like Nigeria's Femi Kuti can seem downright shocking. Kuti repeatedly attacked the Nigerian government and Western democracies that he accused of looking away from corruption in Africa. He also warned of a coming civil war for his homeland. Somehow, though, he and his band of frenetic horn players, exuberant dancers and furious percussionists made political engagement feel like a party.