By By Promise Eze
Earlier this year legendary Afrobeat artist and Kuti family scion SEUN KUTI & EGYPT 80 announced a US and European tour, manager Annie Ohayon of Knitting Factory Management announced today. Kuti and his Egypt 80 band kick off their tour in the UK June 1 and are currently booked through the new Format Festival in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA, September 23.
“I’m excited to return to touring after too long away,” Kuti says. “My band Egypt 80 and I look forward to retaking the world stage, and hope as always that our music will help make the world a more generous, kinder and more livable place, not only to fans but to its underrepresented people.”
However, Kuti is currently cooling off his feet in police net for allegedly harassing a police officer.
Recall that Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer, according to authorities.
Lagos state police said on Monday that an order had been made on Saturday for the arrest of the Grammy-nominated saxophonist and singer after a viral video showed him on a road, shouting and apparently pushing and hitting a policeman.
It was unclear what led to the confrontation although Kuti wrote on social media that the officer in question “tried to kill me and my family”. He reportedly suggested the officer tried to ram their car.
He turned himself in early on Monday at the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command, accompanied by a lawyer and a family representative, police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin said on Twitter.
A Magistrate Court in Yaba on Tuesday granted bail to the Afrobeat musician. The defendant is expected to produce two sureties who own landed properties in Lagos State.
Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun also ordered police to complete their investigation within 48 hours.
The magistrate adjourned the case till 23 May for mention.
If the case should persist, it is vividly clear that he’ll miss his own tour and the organizers may have to reschedule another date.
