According to Grammy-nominated Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti, his late father, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, was impoverished and once had financial difficulties providing for his family.
Femi clarified that despite Fela’s success, the family was living in extreme poverty at the time of the first hit song, “Jeun Ko Ku.”
“Fela was very poor,” Femi stated in a recent interview with Afropolitan. He was unable to even buy food for his children and us. Really, really poor, I mean. This was before Kalakuta, and at the time, we were residing in 14A Agege Motor Road.
“Every music story was playing Fela’s first Afrobeats hit ‘Jeun Ko Ku.’ I think he too was surprised at the reception he got.”
According to Gist 9ja, Made Kuti, the son of Femi Kuti, also asserted that his grandfather, Fela Kuti, passed away in poverty.
He clarified that despite Fela’s considerable wealth during his existence, his extreme generosity caused him to pass away penniless.