When Apple unveiled its new MacBook Air powered by the M5 chip on March 3, the launch came with an unexpected soundtrack: the unmistakable horns and percussion of Fela Kuti.
Rather than the sleek electronic soundscapes typically used in tech campaigns, Apple’s reveal video pulsed with “Let’s Start,” a high-energy track from the Afrobeat legend’s 1970s catalogue. The choice instantly stood out, pairing one of the world’s most influential tech brands with the revolutionary sound that helped reshape modern African music.
For many viewers, the moment felt symbolic. Decades after his passing, Fela’s music continues to move across generations, cultures, and industries, now even soundtracking the launch of one of the world’s most recognizable laptops.
A Soundtrack With Intent
Apple has built its identity around creativity and disruption, often framing its products as tools for artists and innovators. Using “Let’s Start” for the MacBook Air reveal, taps directly into that identity.
The track’s layered percussion, driving brass arrangements, and hypnotic groove embody the rebellious spirit that defined Fela’s work. His music was never just entertainment, it was protest, commentary, and cultural expression.
In the launch video, the rhythm of the song moves alongside sleek visuals of the MacBook Air’s ultra-thin design and new Sky Blue finish.
The effect is striking: a futuristic piece of technology revealed through the sound of a genre born from resistance and experimentation.
The contrast between Silicon Valley innovation and Afrobeat’s revolutionary roots gives the campaign a deeper cultural texture.
A Timely Spotlight on Fela’s Legacy
Apple’s choice also arrives during a renewed global focus on Fela’s legacy.
In January 2026, the Afrobeat pioneer received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African artist to receive the honor. The recognition reignited conversations around his influence, introducing new audiences to the artist widely credited with creating Afrobeat.
Featuring “Let’s Start” in a major product campaign amplifies that momentum.
Instead of choosing a contemporary Afrobeats hit, Apple reached back to the genre’s foundation, spotlighting the originator whose work laid the groundwork for today’s global African sound.
From Afrobeat Pioneer to Cultural Icon
Born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Fela Kuti fused Yoruba rhythms with jazz, funk, and highlife to create Afrobeat, a genre that would go on to shape African music for decades.
But his impact extended far beyond music.
Through fearless lyrics and outspoken activism, Fela challenged political corruption and military rule in Nigeria, turning his art into a platform for resistance and social commentary. His influence continues to echo through the work of contemporary artists who now dominate global charts.
Modern Afrobeats stars including Burna Boy, Wizkid, and many others frequently cite Fela as a foundational inspiration.
Apple’s decision to use his music underscores how that influence now extends well beyond the music industry itself.
Bridging Technology and Cultural History
Tech campaigns rarely double as cultural commentary, but Apple’s soundtrack choice does exactly that.
By anchoring a global product launch in the sound of Afrobeat’s originator, the company places Fela’s music in front of millions of viewers who may be encountering it for the first time.
For younger audiences, the moment could serve as a gateway into the roots of the genre now dominating global playlists.
And for longtime fans, it’s another reminder that Fela’s influence has never faded.
More than 50 years after he first shook the world with Afrobeat, his sound continues to travel, now echoing through the launch of one of the world’s most powerful laptops.
