Grammy-nominated Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti has revealed that his late father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, struggled with poverty despite his rise to fame in the early days of Afrobeat.
Speaking in an interview with Afropolitan, Femi disclosed that the family faced severe hardship even as Fela’s first hit song, Jeun Ko Ku, was topping charts and gaining massive airplay.
“Fela was very poor. He couldn’t even afford food for us, his kids. I mean, really really poor,” Femi said. “At the time, we were living at No. 14A Agege Motor Road. This was before Kalakuta. Every music story was playing Jeun Ko Ku. I think he too was surprised at the reception he got.”
Femi’s revelation aligns with comments previously made by his son, Made Kuti, who also noted that his grandfather, despite earning significant income, “died broke” due to his extreme generosity.
Fela Kuti, often regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, built a legacy that transcended music, becoming a cultural and political icon. Yet, his family’s testimonies underscore the financial struggles that trailed his artistry, particularly in his early years.
The revelations shed light on the sacrifices behind the Afrobeat movement, showing that Fela’s influence came at personal and financial cost, even as his music reshaped African sound and inspired generations worldwide.
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