Seun Kuti, a Grammy-nominated singer, opened up about the stigma he faced during his upbringing due to being the son of the late Afrobeat icon, Fela Kuti.
During a recent interview with actress Iyabo Ojo, Kuti revealed that his father’s legacy impacted various aspects of his life, including relationships. He highlighted the challenges he faced in his romantic life, expressing how he couldn’t visit his girlfriend’s father’s house due to the stigma associated with his lineage.
Kuti emphasized that the stigmatization he endured was particularly distressing because his father, despite his renowned persona, hadn’t done anything to warrant such treatment.
Kuti said, “Growing up, I was stigmatized for being Fela’s son. I couldn’t even enter my girlfriend’s father’s house. Even the street, people would always point at me and say, ‘See Fela pikin.’ It was annoying because my father didn’t do anything.
“Now, these killers, murderers, corrupt thieves that their actions are killing millions of Nigerians everyday, you are willing to be in party with them and hailing them. We need to check ourselves.”
He also disclosed during the interview that his joined his late father’s band, Egypt 80, at the age of 8.
