Today is one of those days when you stop and actually appreciate how far music can travel. On March 4, 2026, tech giant Apple Inc. released its promotional video for the brand-new MacBook Air powered by the M5 chip, and guess what soundtrack they chose? None other than Let’s Start by the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, a track first recorded back in 1971.
Yes, you read that right. A song born in the clubs and political scenes of 1970s Lagos is now the backdrop to the launch of one of the most anticipated laptops of 2026. And it is not just a footnote. It is a moment rich with cultural meaning, legacy, and unexpected joy.
Let’s Start Meets the Modern World: Apple’s Ad Goes Viral
The MacBook Air with the M5 chip debuted on March 3, 2026, and alongside it Apple shared a slick promotional video showing off the device’s capabilities like up to nine times faster AI performance and up to 18 hours of battery life, all while Let’s Start plays in the background.
In the ad, the laptop glides through creative tasks, productivity scenes, and design highlights, and Fela’s Afrobeat rhythm lays a foundation that feels joyful, energising, and alive. The combination feels almost poetic. A classic sound underscoring cutting edge technology.
For many, this choice stood out immediately. People were not just talking about the specs. They were talking about the music. Let’s Start has been turning up across social platforms today as fans, music lovers, and tech commentators dissect what the song brings to the ad.
Why Apple’s Choice Is More Than Just a Soundtrack
It is worth pausing to unpack why this matters.
First, Let’s Start is not a random old song. It comes from Fela’s live album Live!, recorded in 1971 with his band Afrika 70 and the legendary British drummer Ginger Baker. The track is energetic, layered with horns, percussion, and a groove that instantly grips listeners. Classic Afrobeat at its most vibrant.
Second, the placement follows a huge cultural milestone for Fela. Just a couple of months ago, he was honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African artist to receive that accolade from The Recording Academy. That means his work is not just recognised but celebrated on a global stage, decades after his passing in 1997.
Seeing his music in a global campaign for a product that will be seen by millions feels like a beautiful full circle moment. A founder of Afrobeat finally appearing in a space where culture, creativity, and technology intersect.
Music and Tech: A Combo That Changes Culture
Apple has a history of choosing music that resonates emotionally.
Decades ago, their early MacBook Air and iPod ads were known for putting relatively unknown tracks into the spotlight and turning them into hits. Remember when Yael Naim’s New Soul suddenly became a phenomenon after it was featured in an Apple ad?
Now, featuring Let’s Start does something even larger. It is not just promoting a laptop. It is introducing a new generation of listeners to Fela’s work who may not have encountered his music before.
If the ad drives audiences to platforms like Apple Music or Spotify to explore Fela’s catalogue including classics like Zombie, Water No Get Enemy, and Expensive Shit, then the impact goes well beyond a few seconds of background sound. It becomes a musical rediscovery moment.
A Snap Back to Fela’s Legacy
If you have ever listened to Let’s Start in full, you know it is not just a catchy groove. It is rooted in something deep. Afrobeat, the genre he essentially invented, blends highlife, jazz, funk, and traditional African rhythms into a politically conscious, rhythm driven sound that was revolutionary in the 1960s and 70s.
Fela’s influence can be felt today in the work of artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Davido, and Rema. All of them borrow from his rhythmic foundations and creative fearlessness.
There is something powerful about hearing his work not just in music contexts. A club, a concert, or a film. But also in a mainstream global tech campaign. It is a reminder that great art does not stay in one place. It travels, it evolves, and it continues to speak to new audiences decades later.
The Soundtrack That Connects Generations
People have responded to this move in interesting ways.
On forums and social platforms, listeners are pointing out how Fela’s Yoruba lyrics and rhythms are not just background noise. They give the ad a cultural richness and emotional texture that sets it apart from the typical corporate soundtrack. Some have even noted that the title Let’s Start feels like a perfect metaphor for beginning new creative journeys, just like starting up a powerful new MacBook.
There has also been discussion about how this sync deal might introduce Fela’s legacy to younger listeners who grew up in the digital age. For whom Afrobeat has become a familiar global sound. Moments like this can turn interest into actual discovery and that is huge for any artist, especially one whose career began before the internet existed.
A Celebration of Culture in a High Tech World
At its core, Apple’s decision to use Let’s Start reminds us of something simple: music carries meaning beyond its original context.
This is not just about selling a laptop. It is about connecting innovation with cultural legacy. It is about reminding the world, in a commercial, in front of millions of viewers, that African music has shaped global sound waves for generations.
For Nigerians and Afrobeat fans everywhere, seeing Fela’s work on a global technology stage feels like a moment of pride. The rhythm that once filled clubs and underground venues is now part of a cultural conversation happening all over the world.
And that, more than anything, feels like a beautiful tribute to a legend whose influence keeps growing long after his time.
