There is a popular Nigerian saying that “lion no dey born goat”. This accurately reflects in the case of Seun Kuti, who has been in the news in recent times, particularly about his stance on the 2023 presidential election.
Knowing the kind of family he comes from, one will know that political activism is one of the most important attributes of his lineage. As the youngest son of a true legend (in the true sense of the world) the famous Afrobeat pioneer, Seun Kuti continues to carry on the legacy of the Kuti family.
So, who is Seun Kuti?
Seun Kuti biography
Seun Kut was born on January 11, 1983, in Lagos State. He is the youngest son of the late afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and Fehintola Anikulapo Kuti.
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Career
Seun Kuti’s love of music began to grow when he was five years old. By the time he was nine, he was playing with his father’s band, Egypt 80. After Fela Kuti’s passing in 1997, Seun Kuti reportedly assumed leadership of Egypt 80.
The group released an album entitled Many Things in 2008. In the 2010 album “Entren los que quieran” released by Calle 13, Seun Kuti is featured on the song Todo se mueve (Everything Moves).
On Jidenna‘s second album, 85 to Africa, released in 2019, Kuti made an appearance as a featured guest. In June of that same year, Kuti was interviewed about pan-Africanism, his own country, and music for the Polaris series in the Visual Collaborative internet catalogue.
As mentioned earlier, the Kuti family has been involved in political activism for ages. Therefore, it was no surprise that Seun Kuti actively took part in the “Occupy Nigeria” demonstrations in January 2012. The protests were against President Goodluck Jonathan‘s policy of eliminating fuel subsidies and increasing the price of petrol.
He oversaw the resuscitation of his father’s disbanded political movement, Movement of the People, in November 2020, intending to transform it into a political party and register it. However, the country’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is yet to issue the MOP with a certificate of registration.
Seun Kuti rejects religion, claiming it is a tool to subjugate the minds and thoughts of human beings.
Seun Kuti songs
Some of Seun Kuti’s songs include:
- Struggle Sounds.
- Many Things.
- Black Times.
- Night Dreamer Direct to Disc Sessions,2019.
- A Long Way To the Beginning,2014.
- From Africa With Fury: Rise,2011.
- Think Africa, 2007.
Seun Kuti net worth
According to various reports, Seun Kuti is one of the richest Afrobeat musicians. His net worth is estimated to be around N30 million.
Controversies
On February 8, 2023, Seun Kuti called out the music duo, PSquare, for their sudden interest and campaign for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election.
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Peter and Paul Okoye have been outspoken in supporting Mr Obi’s candidacy. They have participated in several fora in promoting the former Anambra State governor’s candidacy.
Seun Kuti, in a broadcast that went viral on social media, claimed that PSquare had performed at enough events for all of the wealthy men and officials in the country, He also mentioned that Peter, one half of the duo, lacks the moral compass to tell Nigerians what is best of them as he and his brother had already hobnobbed with the country’s elite before seeing Mr. Obi as a sudden saviour.
“After the game, they played. They have exaggerated them. They sit down next to you and tell you they love you today. Why did they not fall for you 10 years ago? Ask Psquare why they weren’t in love with you 20 years ago when they were dancing around everywhere with PDP,” he remarked.
Seun Kuti’s fit of rage surprised many, as Mr Obi had earlier visited his elder brother, Femi Kuti, in August 2022
Peter Okoye, commonly known as Mr P, was offended by Seun Kuti’s comments. He responded to the late Fela son’s statement by stating that the Okoye brothers have never run an election campaign. The only time they sang was during President Buhari’s inauguration, right after he was sworn in as president, he observed.
Okoye also suggested that Seun Kuti takes after Made Kuti, who he described as “well-behaved”.
Many fans and celebrities added their two cents to the feud between the two musicians. Some of those artists included Brymo and Portable.
Family
As earlier mentioned, Seun Kuti is the son of the late afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and the late Fehintola Anikulapo Kuti.
He is the brother of Motunrayo Anikulapo Kuti, who was birthed by his mother. His other siblings, who were born by other wives of Fela, are Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti, Kunle Anikulapo Kuti, Shalewa Kuti and Sola Kuti.
Seun Kuti is not married yet. He, however, welcomed a daughter with his partner, Yetunde George Ademiluyi, on December 16, 2013. His child’s name is Ifafunmike Adara Kuti.
Seun Kuti age
Seun Kuti was born on January 11, 1983. He is 40 years old, as of 2023.
Conclusion
Seun Kuti’s Black Times was nominated for a Grammy Award in the World Music category in 2018. He is now the second of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s children to be considered for this prize, as his elder brother, Femi Kuti, had previously been nominated in the same category.
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