Grammy-nominated star, Femi Kuti, has opened up about the difficult financial struggles of his late father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, despite being one of Africa’s most celebrated musicians.
Speaking in a recent interview with Afropolitan, Femi Kuti disclosed that the Afrobeat pioneer was extremely poor during the peak of his early fame.
Also, he recounted that when Fela’s first major hit, ‘Jeun Ko Ku’, dominated the airwaves, the family still lived in abject poverty.
“Fela was very poor. He couldn’t even afford food for us, his kids. I mean, really, really poor. Then we were living at No. 14A Agege Motor Road, all before Kalakuta,” Femi revealed.
He added that even Fela himself was surprised at the massive reception his hit single received.
However, the song did not immediately translate into financial stability.
This revelation echoes earlier statements made by Femi’s son, Made Kuti,
Made Kuti once disclosed that his grandfather died poor despite making a lot of money during his career.
According to Made, Fela’s excessive generosity and constant giving drained his finances.
This makes him broke at the time of his death.
The account of Fela’s poverty sheds light on the paradox of fame without wealth.
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Also, it highlighted how the legendary musician’s life was shaped by sacrifice, activism, and relentless generosity.
