Seun Kuti Reveals True Intentions Behind Fela’s Music
In a recent podcast episode, Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has shed light on the true intentions behind his father, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s, music. Contrary to popular opinion, Seun claims that Fela did not fight the Nigerian government, but rather the rich folks of Nigeria.
Fela, a renowned afrobeat pioneer and socio-political critic, was known for using his music to speak against societal ills and bad governance. Seun, who featured on the ‘Zero Conditions’ podcast, shared his perspective on his father’s music and the misconceptions surrounding it.
According to Seun, people have many misconceptions about his family and what they’ve done or haven’t done. He recalled believing a popular rumor that his father had bought a Benz, cut the roof off, and used it to carry vegetables. However, when someone mentioned it in front of his father, he was shocked, revealing that the story was likely a fabrication to make him appear crazy and frivolous.
Seun emphasized that his father’s music was not aimed at the government, but rather at the rich people of Nigeria. He encouraged listeners to explore Fela’s songs, such as ‘Lady’, ‘Swegbe and Akpako’, ‘Ikoyi Blindness’, and ‘Ikoyi versus Mushin’, which are filled with attacks on the rich and powerful.
The rich people, Seun claimed, ganged up with the government against Fela, using lies and propaganda to justify the punishment they inflicted upon him. As the government physically assaulted him, the rich media owners backed them up, making the punishment seem justified.
Seun’s revelations offer a fresh perspective on Fela’s music and the societal context in which it was created. His words serve as a reminder of the importance of understanding the larger narrative and the impact of misconceptions on our understanding of history.
