Femi Kuti Reveals Why Family Refused To Sell Fela’s Music Catalogue
Afrobeat star Femi Kuti has explained why his family chose not to sell the music catalogue of their father, the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, despite receiving multiple offers.
Speaking in a recent interview on Channels Television, Femi said the decision was driven by a desire to protect Fela’s legacy and maintain control over his body of work.
He highlighted the key role played by his elder sister, Yeni Kuti, who strongly opposed selling the catalogue and has remained deeply committed to preserving their father’s heritage.
According to him, while the family has never sold the catalogue, they have licensed the music to foreign partners for a set period, allowing them to retain ownership while still generating revenue.
“We never sold Fela’s catalogue. It is under Fela’s estate controlled by the family. But we licensed the music,” he said.
Femi added that Yeni’s position was instrumental in shaping the family’s decision. “My elder sister, Yeni Kuti, strongly opposed selling Fela’s catalogue. She is like the caretaker… she is very protective of Fela’s legacy so she insisted we don’t sell it. I saw her view immediately and we all agreed. If we had sold it, no royalty would be coming to the family.”
The Grammy-nominated artist also expressed hope that future generations of the family would continue to uphold the same principles and safeguard the legacy of the Afrobeat icon.
