Nigerian Afrobeat Legend Femi Kuti Takes A Look Inward
Femi Kuti was surrounded by history while lounging in a big chair at the New Afrika Shrine, his family's renowned Nigerian music venue.
The original shrine of his father, Fela Kuti, which was situated in the northern outskirts of Lagos prior to its demise, is honored by the concert hall.
Femi's personal music accolades are strewn about, acknowledging his resolve to continue the good fight for which his Afrobeat icon father was renowned - denouncing injustice and corruption in the most populous country in Africa.
Belonging to a family that was characterized by its resolve to protest, write songs, or both in order to speak out against the things that were happening around them — However, Femi Kuti recently told AFP that he is prepared to reflect on himself and concentrate on the "virtues that have guided me in my life."
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The 62-year-old's 13th album, "Journey Through Life," which is scheduled for release on April 25, will make those reflections clear.
He stated that he will sing about "the kind of advice I give myself to where I am today" on the upcoming album. For instance, the title track is "not political."
However, listeners shouldn't assume that a Kuti clan member will fully abandon politics.
The original shrine of his father, Fela Kuti, which was situated in the northern outskirts of Lagos prior to its demise, is honored by the concert hall.
Femi's personal music accolades are strewn about, acknowledging his resolve to continue the good fight for which his Afrobeat icon father was renowned - denouncing injustice and corruption in the most populous country in Africa.
Belonging to a family that was characterized by its resolve to protest, write songs, or both in order to speak out against the things that were happening around them — However, Femi Kuti recently told AFP that he is prepared to reflect on himself and concentrate on the "virtues that have guided me in my life."
READ ALSO: Coachella 2025 Takeaways: Music, Revolution, And Y2K
The 62-year-old's 13th album, "Journey Through Life," which is scheduled for release on April 25, will make those reflections clear.
He stated that he will sing about "the kind of advice I give myself to where I am today" on the upcoming album. For instance, the title track is "not political."
However, listeners shouldn't assume that a Kuti clan member will fully abandon politics.
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From Afrobeat to Afrobeats
The elder Kuti came to define Afrobeat, the 70s-era jazz- and funk-inspired genre that would later give birth to the modern, R&B-inspired Afrobeats — plural — style shaking up the global music industry today.
On April 6, 2025, Femi Kuti does a performance at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos. (Image courtesy of AFP/FAWAZ OYEDEJI)
In addition, he was a symbol of protest, using his songs to denounce the atrocities of the government, even throughout the violent military dictatorships that ruled Nigeria intermittently until its most recent democratic transition in 1999, two years after he passed away from AIDS.
In contrast, Femi Kuti's grandmother advocated for women's rights and independence.
Therefore, it may be assumed that Femi Kuti's values would be political in character, even though he has moderated his expectations on the precise functions of music.
In addition, he was a symbol of protest, using his songs to denounce the atrocities of the government, even throughout the violent military dictatorships that ruled Nigeria intermittently until its most recent democratic transition in 1999, two years after he passed away from AIDS.
In contrast, Femi Kuti's grandmother advocated for women's rights and independence.
Therefore, it may be assumed that Femi Kuti's values would be political in character, even though he has moderated his expectations on the precise functions of music.
"Music is the weapon," my father used to say. "Music can't be the soul, but I think it's a tool for change," he remarked. "Organizations are still necessary."
After all, the elder Kuti had an unfinished record to show for the numerous beatings and incarcerations he endured at the hands of the government. Although democracy may have eventually gained traction, it has been more difficult to eradicate the corruption he denounced.
Self-reflection makes me consider the possibility that the world cannot be changed. However, I am certain that I can transform myself into a better person," Kuti told AFP.
After all, the elder Kuti had an unfinished record to show for the numerous beatings and incarcerations he endured at the hands of the government. Although democracy may have eventually gained traction, it has been more difficult to eradicate the corruption he denounced.
Self-reflection makes me consider the possibility that the world cannot be changed. However, I am certain that I can transform myself into a better person," Kuti told AFP.
New songs, same struggles
Femi Kuti has spent the last four decades as the heir to his father’s activism and musical style.
(FILES) Nigerian singer Femi Kuti, son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, is seen in this file photo from October 3, 2022, posing with a saxophone at a Parisian music studio. (Image by AFP/Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT)
He continues to tour abroad and, with his brother Seun and son Made, keeps the New Afrika Shrine a bumpy, sweaty place to be every Sunday night.
He continues to tour abroad and, with his brother Seun and son Made, keeps the New Afrika Shrine a bumpy, sweaty place to be every Sunday night.
