Seun Kuti, son of the legendary Fela Kuti, clarifies that his father’s battle was against Nigeria’s wealthy elites, not the government.
Seun Kuti, an Afrobeat artist, has contradicted the widely held notion that his late father and pioneer of afrobeat music as well as socio-political commentator, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti fought against the Nigerian government.
Fela gained renown by utilizing his music as a means to address social vices and inadequate governance.
On a recent installment of the “Zero Conditions” podcast, Seun, his son asserted that he battled against wealthy individuals rather than governmental authorities in their country.
He stated that there are many misunderstandings about his family’s actions and accomplishments. He provided an illustration of the misinformation by confessing that he previously believed his father had purchased a Mercedes-Benz, removed its roof, and utilized it to transport vegetables.
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Because I heard it constantly while growing up, I held the belief as true. However, one day my dad was taken aback when someone uttered those same words in his presence.
“We fail to grasp the overarching storyline as it comes across to us, from a newer generation’s perspective, like something only a gangster would do.”
During the aftermath of colonization, it would have been impossible for him to do so in the 1970s when people were still struggling. Nonetheless, whispers circulated that he acted recklessly and imprudently with his wealth as a means to appear insane or flippant.
According to some, Fela opposed the government. However, he actually directed his fight against wealthy individuals in Nigeria and not necessarily the Nigerian government itself.
Take the time to tune in and hear his dynamic compositions, including “Lady,””Swegbe and Akpako”,”Ikoyi Blindness”,and”Ikoyi versus Mushin”.His abundant collection of music offers a fierce critique on Nigeria’s affluent class.
The wealthy individuals united forces with the authorities and mounted an attack against him. Alongside their physical assault, the affluent ones who held control over media outlets supported them by spreading deceitful information and propaganda to justify whatever penalty was being meted out.
