Apple Inc. has featured Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s 1971 song “Let’s Start” in a promotional video for its new MacBook Air M5, drawing global attention to the Afrobeat legend’s enduring influence.
Late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has once again placed Nigeria in the global spotlight after Apple Inc. introduced its new MacBook Air M5 with a cultural nod to his 1971 song “Let’s Start.” The tech giant, renowned for its cutting-edge innovations, incorporated the classic Afrobeat track into a promotional video, creating a blend of modern silicon performance and timeless African rhythm.
The promotional clip, which surfaced on social media on Tuesday, March 3, highlighted the features of the new MacBook Air, including what Apple described as 9x faster AI performance and up to 18-hour battery life. The video emphasised the laptop’s capabilities in supporting artistic workflows, underscoring creativity and productivity as central themes of the campaign.
The unexpected pairing of Fela’s music with the launch of the M5-powered MacBook has drawn widespread reactions online, with many praising the recognition of Afrobeat’s global impact. The move further cements Fela’s legacy as a cultural icon whose influence continues to resonate decades after his groundbreaking contributions to music and activism.