Afrobeat icon, Femi Kuti, has opened up about a moment in his career when his father, the legendary Fela Kuti, harshly criticized his music. Femi Kuti shared that after he left his father’s band in 1986 to form his own, Fela called his debut album “rubbish.” This moment was a pivotal point in Femi’s journey, especially considering Fela's immense influence in Afrobeat music and the high expectations placed on his son.
According to Femi, the fallout from leaving Fela’s band was intense. His father’s loyal fanbase turned against him, and he was attacked multiple times by the very people who had supported him as a member of his father’s band. Femi recalled how these fans saw his departure as an act of rebellion, assuming it was a direct confrontation with Fela.
In an emotional revelation during a recent episode of the Sonically podcast hosted by Elmo Chong, Femi Kuti explained how he felt demoralized by his father’s harsh words. Despite Fela’s immense reputation as a pioneering figure in Afrobeat, Femi was devastated by the criticism, especially coming from someone he deeply admired and loved. He recalled the moment when Fela not only criticized the album in the press but also publicly declared that the album was “rubbish” and discouraged people from supporting it. Femi said, “I was so upset. He was the last person I expected such a harsh review from.”
Femi also shared that at the time, he was feeling lost and unsure of his path. He admitted that he had no formal education and wasn’t sure how to carve out his own identity as a musician. The emotional toll of the criticism weighed heavily on him, but he refused to give up. Femi reflected on how he had to focus on his vision, telling himself, “I can’t turn back right now. I would rather die trying.” Despite the setbacks and harsh criticism, he continued to push forward and has never stopped pursuing his music career.
The revelation of Femi’s struggles with his father’s criticism gives fans a deeper understanding of the emotional journey he has gone through to establish himself as a successful Afrobeat icon. Femi Kuti’s resilience in the face of adversity remains an inspiration to many aspiring musicians around the world.