“If God wanted me to be Fela, I would have been Fela” – Femi Kuti opens up on breaking free from his father’s shadow

Afrobeat star Femi Kuti has reflected on the challenges of growing up as Fela Kuti’s son and how he carved out his own identity in music.

Speaking on the Afropolitan podcast, he recalled the constant pressure from childhood to be like his father. At one point, he even lived and dressed like Fela, but eventually chose to break away and form his own band, a move that drew heavy criticism from fans and the press.

Femi shared that a turning point came when he realized he could only succeed by being himself: “If God wanted me to be Fela, I would have been Fela. I had to be Femi Kuti.”

He also recounted how his grandmother’s tough words pushed him back on track when he was drifting from music, describing them as life-saving.

Looking back, Femi said the struggle and backlash were essential in shaping his independence: “I had to feel my pain and strive for my own success.”