More than five decades after its release, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s iconic 1973 Afrobeat record, “Gentleman”, is finding a new international audience through its inclusion in the official trailer for The Thomas Crown Affair, an upcoming Hollywood heist thriller starring Michael B. Jordan. Amazon MGM Studios unveiled the trailer on November 12, with Fela’s unmistakable sound providing the musical backdrop to scenes from the film. The placement brings one of Nigeria’s most influential musical works into the promotional campaign of a major international production, connecting the legacy of Afrobeat with contemporary Hollywood storytelling.
Released as the title track of Fela’s 1973 album, “Gentleman” is recognised for its distinctive blend of African highlife rhythms, jazz-influenced horns and politically charged lyrics. The song challenges colonial mentality and the tendency to imitate Western lifestyles at the expense of African identity. Its appearance in the trailer is therefore more than a nostalgic musical reference. It introduces a new generation of international audiences to a composition that remains closely associated with Fela’s social and cultural commentary. According to Premium Times, the track features prominently in the trailer, marking another instance of the Afrobeat pioneer’s catalogue finding relevance beyond its original era.
Directed by Michael B. Jordan, who also stars as the wealthy art thief Thomas Crown, the new film follows a billionaire whose pursuit of stolen cultural artefacts sets him on a collision course with an insurance investigator played by Adria Arjona. The cast also includes Kenneth Branagh, Lily Gladstone, Danai Gurira and Pilou Asbæk. The production is the third screen adaptation of the Thomas Crown story, following the 1968 film starring Steve McQueen and the 1999 remake led by Pierce Brosnan. Scheduled for worldwide cinema release on March 5, 2027, the film’s use of Fela’s music adds a distinctive Nigerian cultural presence to a major Hollywood production.
