Femi Kuti, the Afrobeat musician and son of the late pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has shared insights into his family’s decision not to sell their father’s music catalogue, despite receiving multiple offers. In a recent interview with Channels TV, the Grammy-nominated artist emphasized that this choice was driven by a commitment to preserving Fela’s legacy. He specifically noted the strong opposition from his elder sister, Yeni Kuti, who has been a staunch advocate for protecting their father’s musical heritage.
Kuti clarified that while the family has never sold the catalogue, they have licensed Fela’s music to a foreign company for a limited time. He stated, “We never sold Fela’s catalogue. It is under Fela’s estate controlled by the family. But we licensed the music. So, we control it. I don’t know how many years we have left, but when it is done, we will take it over and license it again.” This arrangement allows the family to maintain control over the music while ensuring that Fela’s legacy remains intact.
He further acknowledged Yeni Kuti’s pivotal role in safeguarding their father’s legacy, highlighting her insistence that the family retain ownership of the catalogue. “My elder sister, Yeni Kuti, strongly opposed selling Fela’s catalogue. She is like the caretaker, and we give her the honour as the eldest among us. It doesn’t mean that the rest of us don’t have a say, of course. But she is very protective of Fela’s legacy, so she insisted we don’t sell it. I saw her view immediately, and we all agreed. If we had sold it, no royalty would be coming to the family,” Kuti explained.
Looking ahead, the musician expressed hope that future generations of the family would continue to uphold and protect Fela’s enduring legacy in the years to come.
Comments are closed for this story.