Since its inception in 1989, the Red Hot Organization has released 18 compilation albums featuring music heavyweights from David Byrne to Nirvana to U2 — and raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS-related charities along the way.

Set for release on Oct. 8, their latest compilation is Red Hot + Fela, a tribute to the late Afrobeat pioneer and Nigerian music icon Fela Kuti, and it comes with contributions from some of the biggest names in world music, along with Questlove, the Kronos Quartet, My Morning Jacket, TV on the Radio and many more.

While the album is rooted in Kuti's trademark Afrobeat sound, the artists have also added their distinct flavours to the mix. Listen to an advance stream of Red Hot + Fela below.

LISTEN audio Various artists Red Hot + Fela Tracklist

The inspiration

Fela Kuti was one of Africa’s most revered musicians. The pioneer of Afrobeat music, which combines traditional Yoruba music, jazz, funk, chant and more, the Nigerian artist was integral in popularizing African music around the globe. He was also an outspoken political activist who was arrested more than 200 times and endured numerous beatings — but continued to speak out against oppression.

Kuti died of AIDS-related illness in 1997, and an estimated one million people attended his funeral procession.

Since his death, his status as a musical icon has expanded and extended around the globe. In the last few years alone, the Broadway hit FELA! won multiple Tony Awards and toured the world, Knitting Factory Records reissued the Nigerian icon’s entire back catalogue and now Red Hot + Fela is set for release.

The stars

Some of the most respected names in world music, hip-hop, indie rock, new music and more have gathered for Red Hot + Fela.

Questlove, tUnE-yArDs, Angelique Kidjo and Akua Naru have reimagined Kuti’s hit “Lady,” while “Zombie” was recorded by Spoek Mathambo, Cerebral Cortex and Frown.

“Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am” is performed by My Morning Jacket, Merrill Garbus (from tUnE-yArDs) and Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard.

“Sorrow, Tears & Blood” has been reworked by the Kronos Quartet along with TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe.

The sound

While the album is rooted in Afrobeat, the artists added their own distinct flavours to Kuti’s music. As a result, you’ll not only find the unforgettable rhythms of Afrobeat, but you’ll also hear electro-house, hip-hop, rock and more.

The cause

To date, the Red Hot Organization has released 18 albums involving more than 400 artists, including the legendary Red Hot + Blue, whose star-studded lineup included David Byrne, Annie Lennox, Tom Waits, U2 and Debbie Harry, and the followup, Red Hot + Dance, which featured George Michael, Madonna and more.

The non-profit also released the Grammy-nominated Red Hot + Country, which served up tracks by Dolly Parton, Jackson Browne and Crosby, Stills & Nash, to name a few, as well as Stolen Moments: Red Hot and Cool, which featured huge soul/jazz acts including Donald Byrd, MC Solaar, Digable Planets and Branford Marsalis.

Red Hot + Fela is not the organization’s first venture into the works of Kuti. In 2002 came Red Hot + Riot, a tribute to Kuti’s songs that involved artists from Sade to Talib Kweli to Macy Gray.

The organization has donated more than $10 million to AIDS/HIV-related charities, among them Partners in Health, Citta, Camp AmeriKids, A Loving Spoonful and many more. The tracklist

1. “Buy Africa,” Baloji & L’Orchestre de la Katuba featuring Kuku 2. “Lady,” tUnE-yArDs, Questlove, Angelique Kidjo, Akua Naru 3. “Yellow Fever," Spoek Mathambo, Zaki Ibrahim 4. “No Buredi,” Nneka, Sinkane, Amayo, Superhuman Happiness 5. “Who No Know Go No,” Just A Band, Childish Gambino 6. “Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am,” My Morning Jacket with Merrill Garbus, Brittany Howard 7. “Sorrow Tears and Blood,” TV on the Radio’s Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe, Kronos Quartet, Stuart Bogie 8. “ITT,” Superhuman Happiness with Sahr Ngaujah, Abena Koomson, Rubblebucket 9. “Afrodisco Beat 2013,″ Tony Allen, M1, Baloji 10. “Gentleman,” Just A Band, Bajah, Chance the Rapper 11. “Hi Life Time,” GendEr Infinity 12. “Zombie,” Spoek Mathambo, Cerebral Cortex, Frown 13. “Go Slow,” King