Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti has explained why him and siblings chose not to sell their father Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s music catalogue.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Entertainment Tonight, the 63-year-old said the catalogue remains under the control of Fela’s estate and the family.
He also clarified that the catalogue is not managed by international record labels.
Opening up about the decision, he said, “No, we never sold it. So it’s under Fela’s estate, which the family controls, but we licensed the music, so we control it. I don’t know how many more years we have right now, but when the years are done, we’ll take it over and license it again. My elder sister was strongly opposed to our selling it.
“She’s like the main caretaker. I think we give her honour as she’s the eldest, so we all listen to her. Not like zombies, of course, but I mean, if we have an objection, we’ll raise it. But she’s very protective of Fela’s legacy. So she insisted we don’t sell. I saw her view immediately.”
Femi added that keeping ownership of the catalogue is part of preserving his father’s legacy and ensuring that it continues to benefit the family.
“If we had sold, it would have been done by now. Nothing would be coming to the family. So we can always go to our children in the future. So this is the way we have preserved his legacy as well. So it will always remain in the family’s hands.
“And I hope even after us, our children will understand how we maintain dignity and integrity with Fela’s legacy and do that same honour to him after we leave this life,” he said.
Fela died in Lagos on August 2, 1997, but his influence has remained strong globally. He was recently selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognising his impact on music and culture.
In February, nearly three decades after his death, he was also honoured with the 2026 Special Merit Award, also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, by the Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards. The award is given to artistes who have made lasting contributions of outstanding artistic significance.
Fela is widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, a genre that blends traditional African rhythms with jazz, funk and highlife. Some of his well known songs include ‘Zombie’, ‘Water No Get Enemy’, ‘Lady’, ‘Shakara and Sorrow Tears’ and ‘Blood’. His music often addressed social and political issues, earning him global recognition.
