Grammy-nominated Afrobeat star Femi Kuti has revealed the shocking financial struggles his late father, Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, endured while raising his family.
In an interview with Afropolitan, posted on Instagram, Femi disclosed that despite the huge success of Fela’s first major hit Jeun Ko Ku, the family lived in extreme poverty.
“Fela was very poor. He couldn’t even afford food for us, his kids. I mean, really really poor. Then we were living at No. 14A Agege Motor Road, this was all before Kalakuta,” Femi recounted.
He explained that even Fela himself was stunned by the massive reception of Jeun Ko Ku, which was played everywhere at the time.
“Every music store was blasting Fela’s first Afrobeats hit Jeun Ko Ku. I think he too was surprised at the reception he got,” he said.
Femi’s revelation aligns with earlier remarks by his own son, Made Kuti, who stated that Fela, despite making large sums during his career, died broke due to his boundless generosity.
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