Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti has shed light on why his family chose not to sell the music catalogue of their late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, despite receiving multiple offers.
In an interview with Channels Television, the singer said the family prioritised protecting the legacy of the Afrobeat legend over financial gain.
He explained that instead of selling the catalogue outright, the family opted to license the music temporarily while maintaining ownership.
“We never sold Fela’s catalogue. It is under Fela’s estate controlled by the family. But we licensed the music.
“So, we control it. I don’t know how many years we have left but when it is done, we will take it over and licensed it again,” he said.
Femi also revealed that his elder sister, Yeni Kuti, played a decisive role in the decision, insisting that the catalogue must remain within the family.
“My elder sister, Yeni Kuti, strongly opposed selling Fela’s catalogue. She is like the caretaker. And we give her the honour as the eldest among us.
“But she is very protective of Fela’s legacy, so she insisted we don’t sell it. I saw her view immediately and we all agreed. If we had sold it, no royalty would be coming to the family,” he added.
He further expressed optimism that future generations would continue to preserve the legacy and uphold the values associated with Fela’s music.
