Seun Kuti, youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer and political firebrand Fela Kuti, is acutely self-aware.
The 29-year-old grew up in Nigeria’s Kalakuta compound, his father’s radical ganja-smoke-filled commune where it was routine for hundreds of people to stay at any given time. He knows most people wouldn’t consider it a normal childhood.
The younger Kuti started performing at age 8 when he opened shows at the Shrine – Fela’s infamous Lagos nightclub – by covering his father’s Afrocentric fusion of jazz, funk, and fury. When the elder Kuti died in 1997, his Egypt 80 band was on the verge of breaking up until Seun stepped in as lead singer and saxophonist despite being only 14 years old.
“Being Fela’s son shaped my ideas and who I am,” reflects the bandleader. “I accepted that a long time ago. It’s very important to know who you are, but even more important is being able to accept it.”
Seun’s now the one railing against injustice over blaring horns and pounding polyrhythms. Last year’s From Africa With Fury: Rise on Knitting Factory is an urgent call to action with corrupt politicians and corporations squarely in its crosshairs. Music is still the weapon, and the Afrobeat scion sees recent protests as proof of progress.
“Back in the day, Africans were easily manipulated by the government and propaganda in the newspaper, but not anymore,” he states. “Look at Occupy Nigeria and you’ll see that Africans are more educated and progress has been made in the movement. This new generation of Africans carries the boulders of their fathers on their shoulders, and I think that has to stop.
“We have to break free from the norm of oppression and corruption in Africa.”
When that day comes, Seun Kuti believes his father deserves credit.
“Afrobeat represents part of a bigger institution of change in Africa. In the bigger picture, when Africa starts living up to its potential, Kalakuta and the Shrine will be monuments of freedom and change.”
This article appears in March 16 • 2012.
