Yeni Kuti, daughter of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has stated that her father’s enduring legacy inspired her to embrace her identity and heritage with pride, particularly as an African woman.
In an interview with Saturday Beats, Yeni reflected on how being raised under Fela’s influence shaped her understanding of culture, pride, and purpose. She said:
“My father’s legacy for me as an African woman is to be proud and to be African. It made me learn how to own my culture. I am very proud of my father. I also think his legacy is a testimonial to hard work. For the young people coming up, I’ll say, know your craft and put in the work.”
Speaking on the evolution of Afrobeats, she acknowledged that the contemporary genre owes its roots to her father’s pioneering sound while noting that it has since grown into a global musical force.
“Afrobeats has taken pieces of afrobeat and built on it. It’s just inspirational music for them,” she explained.
Yeni also highlighted the deep historical and cultural connection between Fela’s music and France, noting that the French cultural establishment had long been supportive of his art.
“Fela started his early tours in France, so they have always supported him. The French Ministry of Culture and Tourism has always supported Fela and his work, so I’m not surprised that they still celebrate him today,” she said.
When asked about her personal reflections on her father’s legacy, the Felabration Festival founder remarked:
“He would be very happy to see how far things have come. I don’t know exactly what I took after him, but I am proud to be a Kuti.”
Yeni further noted that Fela’s music remains a powerful instrument for political expression and social change, describing his art as a timeless form of resistance against oppression.
“Fela used his music as a tool for political resistance. He sang about the wrongs in our society and used his art to challenge injustice,” she said.
Expressing hope for the future of Nigerian music, she added that while the younger generation is presently focused on lighter themes such as love and relationships, they will eventually evolve toward more conscious and socially aware music.
“Fela used his music to talk about wrongs in our society. The younger ones would pick it up as they go. Right now, they are still singing about love and sex, which is understandable, because they are young.”#newsafro_
