Femi Kuti Reveals Fela Lived in Poverty Despite Early Musical Success

Afrobeats singer Femi Kuti has revealed that his late father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, lived in poverty despite his music gaining widespread recognition.

Speaking in an interview with The Afropolitan, Femi recalled that during the time Fela’s first major hit, Jeun Ko Ku, was enjoying massive airplay, their family still struggled to meet basic needs.

According to him, they lived on Agege Motor Road before the Kalakuta Republic era, and despite Fela’s rising fame, life at home was very tough.

“Fela was very poor. He couldn’t even afford food for us, his kids. I mean, really, really poor. Then we were living at No. 14A Agege Motor Road, this was all before Kalakuta.

“Every music story was playing Fela’s first Afrobeats hit ‘Jeun Ko Ku.’ I think he too was surprised at the reception he got,” Femi recounted.