By Ghazali Ibrahim
Grammys nominated Afrobeat star Femi Kuti has revealed that strong opposition from his elder sister played a key role in the family’s decision not to sell the music catalogue of their late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Speaking during a recent interview, Femi said the family had received offers in the past but ultimately chose to retain control of the catalogue to protect Fela’s legacy and ensure long-term benefits.
According to him, his elder sister, Yeni Kuti, strongly opposed any move to sell the catalogue, describing her as the “main caretaker” of their father’s legacy.
“She’s very protective of Fela’s legacy, so she insisted we don’t sell,” Femi said, noting that her stance influenced the rest of the family to agree on keeping ownership.
He explained that the catalogue remains under the control of Fela’s estate, managed by the family, who instead license the music for specific periods rather than sell it outright.
Femi added that selling the catalogue would have meant losing future royalties, stressing that retaining ownership allows the family and future generations to continue benefiting from and preserving the iconic musician’s work.
The decision reflects the family’s broader effort to maintain control over Fela’s cultural and musical legacy, which remains one of the most influential in African music history.
Fela Kuti, who died in 1997, is widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, a genre that blends jazz, funk, and traditional African rhythms, and continues to shape music globally.
