Fela condemned my music, says Femi Kuti

By Tosin Brown

Afrobeat artist Femi Kuti has revealed that his late father, music legend Fela Kuti, initially condemned his music and opposed his decision to forge his own path.

Femi explained that after he left his father’s band in 1985, many of Fela’s fans turned against him, viewing his departure as an act of rebellion.

The award-winning artist also recalled feeling demoralised when his father harshly criticised his debut album during its launch.

“At the album launch, he walked up to the stage and told the press the album was rubbish,” Femi said.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Sonically podcast hosted by Elmo Chong, Femi recounted the emotional struggles he faced during that period.

“When I left my father’s band, his fanbase turned against me. It was like, ‘How dare you fight Fela?’ But it wasn’t a fight. I was lost. I had no formal education — how was I going to become a great musician? I was crying inside, but people didn’t understand. They thought I was protesting.

“I just told myself, I can’t turn back now. I would rather die trying. So, I continued, and I have never stopped since.”

Femi said he eventually earned his father’s approval years later after a performance of his hit tracks No Place for My Dream and Mind Your Business at the African Shrine.

He revealed that afterward, Fela went back to the press to proudly speak of him as a successful musician.