Femi Kuti
Biography
Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti was born 16 June 1962 in London as the first child of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, afrobeat legend and his wife Remi. Femi tutored under his father’s wing and started playing the saxophone at the age of 15. He joined his father’s band and performed with them for a while before starting his own band, Positive Force in 1986.
Kuti’s international career started in 1988 when he performed at the Festival d’Angouleme in France. His first recort was released by Tabu/Motown in 1995. He has collaborated with international recording artistes Common and Mosdef, toured the United States with rock group Jane’s Addiction and opened for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
To appreciate the throbbing, pulsating intensity of Femi Kuti’s music is to have a taste for funk, jazz and afro soul magic blended in one serving. Like his dad before him, Kuti uses his music to speak out on societal issues and is never afraid to speak truth to power. Femi Kuti has been nominated for the Grammy Award in the World Music category 4 times but has never won.
He opened the gates to the Shrine in 2004 and performs there regularly. In 2015 Femi Kuti performed on stage for the first time with his younger brother Seun Kuti.
Discography
Albums
Femi Kuti 1995
Shoki shoki 1998
Fight to win 2001
Day by day 2008
Africa for Africa 2010
No place for my dream 2013
Live albums
Africa shrine 2004
Live at the shrine 2005
Collections
The Best of Femi Kuti 2004
Femi Kuti The Definitive Collection 2007
Soundtrack
Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack 2008
Singles
Wonder wonder
Truth don die
Dem bobo
Fight to win
Beng beng beng
Sorry sorry
The world is changing
Politics na big business
Awards
2012 Headies Hall of Fame
2011 Songlines magazine Best Artiste
Fun facts
Femi Kuti performed on stage with his younger brother Seun for the first time at the 2 Kings concert held in Lagos in 2015
