Fela Said My Music Was ‘Rubbish’ – Femi Kuti
Afrobeat star Femi Kuti has shared how his father, the legendary Fela Kuti, and his fans initially rejected his music after he broke away from his father’s band in 1986 to forge his own path.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Sonically podcast hosted by Elmo Chong, Femi Kuti revealed that Fela’s supporters viewed his departure as an act of rebellion, intensifying the pressure he faced at the start of his solo career.
“When I left my father’s band, his fanbase turned against me. It was like, how dare you fight Fela? But it wasn’t a fight. I was lost. I had no formal education. I was crying inside me,” he said. “But people didn’t understand; they thought I was protesting.”
Despite the backlash, Femi said he chose to stay committed to his musical journey. However, he was deeply hurt when Fela publicly criticised his debut album during its launch in 1989, calling it “rubbish” in front of the press.
“I was so upset. He was the last person I expected such a harsh review from,” Femi Kuti admitted.
Over time, the relationship between father and son softened. Femi said Fela later praised his work after watching him perform ‘No Place For My Dream’ and ‘Mind Your Business’ at the African Shrine, eventually telling the press about his pride in his son’s accomplishments.
