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Afrobeat icon Femi Kuti has opened up about the emotional and professional challenges he faced after breaking away from his father, Fela Kuti’s band, in 1986 to carve out his own musical identity.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Sonically podcast with host Elmo Chong, Femi shared that the decision to go solo was met with harsh judgment from fans devoted to his father. Many viewed his move as a betrayal rather than a personal journey of growth.
“When I left my father’s band, his fanbase turned against me. It was like, how dare you fight Fela?” Femi said. “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 lost. I was crying inside me. But people didn’t understand, they thought I was doing what I was doing because I was protesting.”
Despite the backlash and self-doubt, Femi remained committed to his path.
“I just focused and said, I can’t turn back right now. I would rather die trying. So, I just continued and I have never stopped since then,” he recalled.
The Grammy-nominated artist also recounted a particularly painful moment in his early career. At the launch of his debut album in 1989, his father openly criticized the project in front of the media.
“The first time my father heard my first album at the launching in 1989, he said it was rubbish. He went on stage and said it to the press. I was so upset. He was the last person I expected such a harsh review from.”
Over time, however, their relationship evolved. Femi shared that Fela’s attitude changed after seeing him perform No Place For My Dream and Mind Your Business live at the African Shrine. That performance marked a turning point in how his father perceived his music.
According to Femi, Fela eventually acknowledged his talent and returned to the media to express pride in his son’s achievements.
Watch him speak below…
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