In a significant nod to Nigerian musical heritage, global tech giant Apple has featured Fela Anikulapo Kuti's 1971 classic 'Let's Start' in its promotional video for the new MacBook Air M5. This cultural honour arrives 28 years after the iconic Afrobeat pioneer's passing in 1997, placing his revolutionary sound on one of the world's most prominent commercial platforms. The move underscores the enduring global influence of Fela's music, which continues to resonate across generations and industries far beyond Nigeria's shores.
Separately, Apple has officially unveiled its latest smartphone, the iPhone 17e, which launched on March 2, 2026. The new device is powered by the same advanced A19 chip found in the standard iPhone 17, a processor built on a cutting-edge 3-nanometer manufacturing process. This technological foundation delivers a substantial 30% boost in graphics performance and incorporates a sophisticated 16-core Neural Engine, designed to handle complex artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks more efficiently.
The iPhone 17e introduces significant improvements in storage and battery life, starting with a massive 256GB of internal storage as its new standard base capacity. Remarkably, this enhanced offering maintains the same starting price point of $599, or £599, as its predecessor. Furthermore, the device boasts an impressive battery life capable of up to 26 hours of continuous video playback, which represents a 4-hour increase over the performance of the previous iPhone 16 model.
In the Nigerian entertainment scene, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly lauded veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, describing her as 'a treasure' for the nation's development. The 88-year-old former military head of state made these remarks at the Lagos premiere of the actress's directorial debut film, titled 'Mother's Love,' which was held at the Alliance Française cultural centre in the Ikoyi area. Adorned in a traditional white 'Agbada' and blue 'fila' cap, Obasanjo did not merely attend the event but actively immersed himself in the festivities, taking photographs and engaging with members of the press.
Meanwhile, a separate online controversy within the Nigerian music industry has drawn a strong defence from media personality Do2dtun. He has spoken out strongly in support of Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold amid social media comments that revisited past online posts associated with his wife, singer Simi. Taking to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Do2dtun urged users to halt what he characterized as extreme bullying directed at the singer and his family, following a tweet from Adekunle Gold that marked his first public comment since the online saga began.
The convergence of these stories highlights a week where global technology and Nigerian pop culture intersect in notable ways. Apple's choice to soundtrack a major product launch with Fela Kuti's music represents a powerful, if commercial, recognition of Nigeria's cultural export power. Simultaneously, the domestic entertainment industry is celebrated by a former head of state, even as its contemporary stars navigate the pressures of modern digital fame and social media scrutiny.
From a technological perspective, the launch of the iPhone 17e demonstrates Apple's strategy to bring higher-tier specifications, like increased storage and battery life, into its more accessible product lines without raising the cost. This move could have significant implications for the smartphone market in price-sensitive regions, including parts of Africa, where value-for-money propositions are critically important for consumers considering premium brand devices.
Ultimately, these verified claims paint a picture of a dynamic period where legacy, innovation, and celebrity converge. The posthumous honour for Fela Kuti by a corporation like Apple speaks to the timeless quality of his artistic rebellion. At the same time, the personal endorsements and defences within Nigeria's vibrant film and music industries show a community grappling with its own stature, legacy, and the challenges of the digital age, all while former leaders actively participate in its cultural milestones.
