Entertainment
‘I did not inherit Afrobeat’ – Femi Kuti blasts critics over Fela comparison
Yesterday, afrobeat singer, Femi Kuti responded to critics after he was yet again compared to Fela Kuti, his late father and pioneer of Afrobeat.
Following the release of Falz’s ‘Moral Instruction‘, a socio-political album which sampled three Fela songs, some music fans turned to Femi to ask why his songs are not as critical as his father’s.
The Afrobeat veteran responded by saying he does not want to be his father and that he has nothing to prove after 10 albums.
He tweeted: “I’ve said it several times, I probably will have to repeat till I die, I don’t want to be my father.
“I love being me Femi Anikulapo-Kuti. And I totally appreciate myself and my being.
“I did not inherit Afrobeat. It’s the style of music I grew up with & I love 2 play. It’s not my fault I’m Fela’s child.
“Maybe he should never have slept with my mother and I probably would be with our Lord God relaxing. And Sir after 10 albums I don’t need to prove anything 2 u.”
The ‘One People, One World’ singer also commented on an allegation that Fela wrote some of his early hit songs such as ‘Wonder Wonder’.
He wrote: “My father never wrote wonder wonder for me. I had left him then. He never wrote any of my music. He would never do that.”
Pity for you ni o. Ive said it several times , I probably will have to repeat till I die, I don’t want to be my father. I❤️him, I honor him ,I respect him ,but I want to be me.I love bring Me Femi Anikulapo-Kuti. And I totally appreciate myself and my being. https://t.co/BBtK1o8V6m
— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) January 15, 2019
My father never wrote wonder wonder for me. I had left him then. He never wrote any of my music. He would never do that . https://t.co/kZFJkq76dQ
— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) January 15, 2019
I did not inherit Afrobeat. It’s the style of music I grew up with & I love 2 play .It’s not my fault I’m Fela’s child. Maybe he should never have slept with my mother and I probably would be with our Lord God relaxing. And Sir after 10 albums I don’t need to prove anything 2 u. https://t.co/Vktve57ICN
— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) January 15, 2019
Femi Kuti also disclosed that he is away on holiday and in the process of “trying to complete my next work”.
The musician’s brother, Seun Kuti, has been nominated for the 2019 Grammy awards, in the best world album category.