Femi Kuti: Biography Of Afrobeats Living Legend

Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti, happens to be the eldest son of late afrobeats pioneer, Fela Anikulapo and grandchild of political campaigner and women’s rights activist, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. He is a Grammy award nominee, highly celebrated and talent instrumentalist who started his own band, Positive Force as far back as 1986.

Background

Olufemi was born on June 16, 1979 in London and raised in Lagos,Nigeria. After his mother parted ways with his father, he lived with his mother, but moved on with his father in 1977. He began playing saxophone at the age of 15 and subsequently became a member of his father’s band. He studied at Baptist Academy and Igbobi college. Just like his father and grandmother, Olufemi has overtime made commitment to social and political causes.

Career

The afrobeats star began his career in 1986, when he joined his father's band, after which he established himself as an independent artiste .After he started the band, he was joined by his sisters, Yemi and Sola (as the lead dancers) Thereafter, his band had its first show in University of Lagos, (Unilag). In 1989, he released his debut record titled No Cause for Alarm under Polygram records. Then, two years after, he released MYOB under the Kalakuta Records. Femi released his eponym studio album four years later. He began internationally when he was invited by the French cultural centre in Lagos and Christian Mousset to perform at the festival d'Angouleme (France) All through his career, he has won several awards and nominations both locally and internationally. He is a multiple Grammys award nominee. In 2014, he signed a management deal with Chocolate City Record Label. In year 2000, he established a club The Africa Shrine where he recorded his first live album. Same year, he contributed to the remake of Fela's popular song "Water No Get Enemy" into Red Hot and Riot, a compilation CD in tribute to his father. He has done several live performances and produced several songs. Olufemi also once shared a stage with his Chocolate city label mate, M.I Abaga and performed in a concert with his brother, Seun Kuti in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Olufemi released the Africa For Africa studio album in 2010 and 2011 under the Wrasse Records and Knitting Factory Records respectively.

Personal Life

He was once married to Funke Kuti, and they had a son together, Made Kuti. Also, Femi is blessed with other children.

Net Worth

A report by Austinemedia says the afrobeats star's net worth is estimated at $1.5 million.

Achievements

Olufemi was in 2012 inducted into the most prestigious music awards in Nigeria – Headies Hall of Fame. He was nominated on four occasions for the Grammy Awards in the ‘World Music Category’, in 2002, 2009, 2011, and 2013. In 2017, Femi broke the Guinness World record for a single note held on saxophone circular breathing for 51 minutes and 35 seconds. He also became an ambassador for Amnesty International. is one of the most influential musicians in Nigeria.