Afrobeat star Femi Kuti has opened up about the struggles he faced after stepping out of his father’s shadow to start his band.
In a candid chat on the Sonically podcast hosted by Elmo Chong, Femi revealed that both his father, Fela Kuti, and the late legend’s loyal fans opposed his decision to leave.
Femi, now a multiple Grammy-nominated artist, said he made the bold move in 1986. But it came with a heavy price.
Fan rejection and misunderstanding
“When I left my father’s band, his fanbase turned against me,” he said. “It was like, ‘How dare you fight Fela?’”
But for Femi, it wasn’t a fight at all. It was a search for identity.
“I was lost,” he confessed. “I had no formal education. How was I going to become a great musician? I was crying inside. But people didn’t see that. They thought I was protesting.”
Choosing to keep going
Rather than quit, he chose to press on.
“I just focused,” he said. “I told myself I can’t turn back now. I would rather die trying. So, I continued. And I have never stopped since then.”
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A crushing blow at his album launch
Femi also recalled how hurt he felt when his father publicly criticised his debut album.
The launch took place in 1989. It was meant to be a proud moment. But Fela’s reaction crushed him.
“The first time my father heard my album, he said it was rubbish,” Femi said. “He walked on stage and told the press that it was rubbish. I was so upset. He was the last person I expected to say that.”
The long wait for approval
At that point, Femi could have given up. The criticism from his own father, in front of the media, was painful. But once again, he chose to keep going.
Over time, things changed.
Years later, Fela watched Femi perform live at the African Shrine. Two songs stood out — No Place For My Dream and Mind Your Business.
That moment marked a turning point in their relationship.
Femi said his father was impressed. He finally gave him the approval he had long waited for.
“After the show, my father went back to the press,” Femi recalled. “And this time, he boasted about me. He told them how proud he was of my music.”
Earning his name
For Femi, that public praise meant the world. After years of hard work, doubt, and rejection, he had earned his father’s respect.
Femi Kuti’s journey was never easy. Starting under the shadow of Fela Kuti, one of Africa’s greatest musical icons, brought both pressure and expectations.
But he found his voice, built his band, and stayed true to his path.
More than Fela’s son
Today, he is not just known as Fela’s son. He is respected worldwide as a powerful Afrobeat artist in his own right.
His story is one of courage, determination, and the will to keep moving forward, even when the people closest to you don’t believe in you at first.
Femi’s career has now spanned decades. He continues to perform, record, and inspire a new generation of musicians across Africa and beyond.
And perhaps the biggest lesson from his story is this: success doesn’t always come with applause. Sometimes, you have to walk through criticism and doubt even from family before finding your own light.
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