Fela Kuti’s “Gentleman” Hits Thomas Crown Affair Trailer

Hollywood just got a proper lesson in Afrobeat. Fela Kuti’s classic “Gentleman” now plays in the latest trailer for The Thomas Crown Affair. As a result, the Fela Kuti Gentleman moment has music fans buzzing.

Michael B. Jordan stars in the heist thriller and also directs it. Furthermore, Amazon MGM Studios will release the film in cinemas on March 5, 2027. Adria Arjona, Kenneth Branagh, Lily Gladstone and Danai Gurira also feature in the cast.

Fela Kuti Gentleman: A 1973 Afrobeat Classic

Fela released “Gentleman” in 1973 as the title track of his album of the same name. The song is famous for sharp social commentary. In addition, it rejects the idea of copying foreign manners and celebrates being an original African man.

Its signature Afrobeat sound is also instantly recognisable. Consequently, a few seconds of it in a trailer can grab a cinema audience. AfrobeatsGlobal sees this as another proud moment for African music.

Why Fela Kuti Gentleman Matters in Hollywood

Placements like this introduce African classics to new listeners. Likewise, they can send fans searching for the original record. Some viewers may even rediscover the full Gentleman album.

Meanwhile, the moment shows how a catalogue from decades ago still carries weight. Nigerian music keeps finding its way onto global screens. Fela remains the blueprint for that reach.

In addition, the film itself has plenty of buzz. It is the third big screen take on the classic art thief story. Jordan has chased this project for years, so a Fela cut feels deliberate.

Fans can now replay the trailer and spot the track for themselves. Interestingly, a song about being original suits a film about a bold gentleman thief. Afterwards, many will head to streaming platforms to hear the full song. That curiosity is good news for Fela’s legacy.

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