Grammy-nominated Afrobeat star Femi Kuti has opened up about the harsh realities of his late father’s life, saying that legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti lived in poverty and, at one point, struggled to feed his family.
In a recent interview with Afropolitan, Femi recalled that even when Fela’s music was gaining wide popularity, the family lived in deplorable conditions.
According to him, the success of his father’s first major hit, Jeun Ko Ku, did not immediately translate into financial stability for their household.
“Fela was very poor,” Femi said during the interview. “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 went on to describe the irony of the situation. At the same time his father’s music was filling the airwaves and making waves across Nigeria, his family was living in abject poverty.
“Every music story was playing Fela’s first Afrobeats hit Jeun Ko Ku. I think he too was surprised at the reception he got,” he explained.
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The revelation highlights the struggles many artists face in the early stages of their careers, even when their work receives critical and commercial attention.
For Fela, who would later become a global icon of Afrobeat and a powerful political voice, fame did not shield him from hardship.
This is not the first time the Kuti family has spoken publicly about the financial struggles of the Afrobeat legend. Made Kuti, Femi’s son and Fela’s grandson, had previously shared similar sentiments.
He explained that while Fela made a significant amount of money during his lifetime, he eventually died poor because of his lifestyle and generosity.
According to Made, Fela’s willingness to give freely, coupled with the challenges he faced from authorities and the government, meant that he did not accumulate wealth. Despite the money that passed through his hands, he remained financially unstable until his death in 1997.
Fela Kuti is remembered today as one of Africa’s greatest musical icons, a pioneer of Afrobeat, and a fearless activist who used his music to criticize injustice, corruption, and military rule in Nigeria. His legacy continues through his children and grandchildren, who have carried the Afrobeat sound to new audiences around the world.
For Femi, sharing these personal memories sheds light on the sacrifices and struggles behind his father’s celebrated career.
It also serves as a reminder that fame does not always guarantee wealth or comfort. Behind the public image of a music star, Fela was also a man who battled poverty while raising a family and creating a sound that would change global music forever.
