Apple has turned to the timeless sound of Nigeria’s Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, as the musical backdrop for the global launch of its newest laptop, the MacBook Air powered by the M5 chip.
The technology giant unveiled the device on March 3, 2026, with a promotional video that features Fela’s 1971 track “Let’s Start.” The song accompanies visuals highlighting the laptop’s sleek design and improved performance, bringing the distinctive rhythm of Afrobeat to millions of viewers across Apple’s digital platforms.
The track originates from Live!, the celebrated album recorded in London by Fela Kuti & Africa ’70 alongside renowned British drummer Ginger Baker. By integrating the song into a major global product campaign, Apple has introduced a new generation of audiences to one of Nigeria’s most influential musical exports.
The choice of soundtrack comes at a moment of renewed international recognition for the Afrobeat pioneer. In February 2026, Fela Kuti received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African artist ever honoured with the distinction by the Recording Academy. The recognition has reignited global attention around his music and enduring cultural impact nearly three decades after his passing in 1997.
Apple’s campaign also has the potential to drive new listeners to Fela’s broader catalogue. The promotional material links audiences directly to Apple’s ecosystem, where his discography, featuring classics such as “Zombie,” “Water No Get Enemy,” and “Expensive Shit” remains widely available.
Although the financial details of the licensing arrangement with Fela Kuti’s estate have not been disclosed, industry data indicates that music synchronisation deals for global technology campaigns typically command fees ranging from $20,000 to more than $500,000, depending on the scale of the advertisement and usage rights involved.
The song “Let’s Start” has previously reached international audiences through film. It gained fresh exposure in the 2021 Netflix action Western The Harder They Fall, directed by Jeymes Samuel, which featured a cast including Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, and LaKeith Stanfield.
Apple has a history of pairing innovative technology with memorable music. Its iconic 2008 MacBook Air commercial featured Yael Naim’s “New Soul,” while earlier iPod campaigns boosted tracks such as Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and Grouplove’s “Tongue Tied.” These collaborations often led to dramatic increases in global streams and sales for the featured artists.
By spotlighting Fela Kuti’s music in the MacBook Air M5 campaign, Apple has once again demonstrated the cultural power of Afrobeat, placing the sound of Nigeria at the centre of a worldwide technology launch and reinforcing the enduring global relevance of one of the country’s most iconic musical pioneers.
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