The drums lead everything on “Problems”. Femi Koleoso of Ezra Collective produced it, and he built the song the way he plays, from the rhythm out. Two drummers and two bassists lock together first, a percussionist works the gaps, and the horns of Egypt 80 land on top with their baritone saxophones sitting low.

Seun Kuti has led his father Fela‘s band since 1997, and he sings the way he always has, hoarse and declamatory, going straight at the argument. Kabaka Pyramid answers from Kingston, a Grammy winner whose roots-reggae cadence carries a hip-hop swing. Between them the track moves between Lagos and Kingston, which Seun hears as a reunion across the diaspora.

“Problems” deals with everyday struggle, the grind Seun sums up in three words, “hard like Sudoku”, a puzzle with no way out. The song is about getting through the chaos and staying on your feet under daily pressure, and Seun aims it at everyone rather than one country or class.

It came out on 29 July as the B-side to “Na Dem“, the Tom Morello collaboration Seun first played at Coachella, and the two come together on a 7″ through Django Music in September.

Stream “Problems” HERE and order the 7″ limited edition of Na Dem / Problems following THIS LINK