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In Fela's time, nobody could really see the corruption. People would say, "Oh Fela is just complaining because he's smoking grass, because he likes too many women." They gave themselves all the excuses in the world not to listen to what he was talking about. Now, every Nigerian has to talk about Fela. The whole world talks about Fela and his world and his politics. So, it's unavoidable [because] the corruption is so blatant. -Femi Kuti |
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Photo of Fela Kuti
On the Definitive double-disc album that came out this year there are a lot of guest hip-hop artists. How do you feel Afrobeat and hip-hop intersect?
 Femi Kuti |
Hip-hop came from Afrobeat. The producers of hip-hop were all Afrobeat's friends, and at least 50-percent of hip-hop came from Afrobeat. A lot of soul came from Afrobeat. Miles Davis was influenced by Fela; he said it. A lot of people in America don't tell the truth that they were influenced a lot by Fela. They listen to him in the back room, in their private apartments and were inspired greatly. American music was greatly, and still is greatly inspired by Fela. His music sneaks into America on many fronts. Ironically, if Miles Davis can confess in a way and say one of the greatest musicians he ever heard was Fela, I wouldn't be surprised if Quincy Jones heard Fela. Carlos Santana doesn't deny that he has listened to Fela. So, the press and the arts from America may downplay Fela's influence, but even Alicia Keys is a Fela fan. The Roots are Fela fans.
Has Fela's image since his death changed in Nigeria and Africa?
I think it's stronger, and his enemies don't want that to happen. People wanted him to die and have him be lambasted because he died of AIDS. They thought that would be the end so they could get on with their dirty, rotten business and continue pretending to the world that everything is okay. Even the CIA would be very happy. They played a very large roll in his death.
How so?
 Fela Kuti |
It was the CIA that instructed Obasanjo in '77 to burn his house down. That was the feedback that came to my father before the burning of the house. An American came and said, "Look, be very careful. The CIA is on your case and they are talking with your government to kill you." That was the instructions, to get rid of him. He was a young man. He didn't understand the gravity of the CIA. Like the CIA played a roll in the death of Lumumba. Even the U.N. played a major role in the death of Lumumba. The world does not know this, or the youth do not know the gravity and the influence of the CIA and the U.N. in bringing down strong, good African leaders.
We've talked about your father a good deal. I'm wondering what your childhood with your mother was like, what type of influence she may have had on you.
She kept the home. If it wasn't for her I don't think I would be here today. My father's role was more on the political side. We didn't have the conventional father and all that, but my mother was truly a mother in all senses. She sacrificed her whole life to give her children everything. Wherever I stand today, I would give maybe 90-percent to her.
I'm also curious about other bands that are picking up Afrobeat. There are bands in America and DJs all over the world. It's a worldwide phenomenon. I'm wondering where you see it going.
Everybody is playing Afrobeat now.
Is this something you are proud to see?
 Femi & Made Kuti |
Yes, of course. When I started out I was the only one playing, and by the time Shoki Shoki came out, people who didn't even know Fela got to understand Fela. People went out of their way to look for this music. Then, when my father's back catalog was released it became a worldwide thing. This has been the mission from day one: to spread the message and not kill. I think I can proudly say that we have done a good job in keeping him alive, in that sense, where his enemies wanted him to just die and even ridicule him in death. But, they have lost the battle because they could not ridicule him for his death, trying to pretend that because he died of AIDS he's a useless man; trying to downplay the fact that his house was burned or the number of times he was beaten and harassed; trying to make him out to be a useless musician smoking grass. Now, the truth, because of his back catalog, is [there] for the world to see.
You spoke of preparing and training your son to be the next in line. How do you do that?
By letting him know his grandfather [and] playing his grandfather's music. The mind of a child is so fresh and so innocent, so he's able to grasp things very quickly and analyze them at such a rate he will not give it a second thought. His mind will be full of so much information he will be able to understand his grandfather. He has his father at his disposal, and then he has his life. So, if he goes into music, or whatever he decides to be, he's going to become a leader and strive with his profession, fighting against injustice and all those things. I strongly believe he's going to be playing music, and his son will be playing music. It is the destiny of the Kuti family.
Does he still tour with you?
 Femi Kuti & Positive Force |
He's sitting right here, right now. He's getting very into your TV and cartoons.
What's his name?
Made.
How old is he?
He is eleven, and he's making funny faces at me.
How do you want to be remembered when it's all said and done?
I'll be dead, I don't know.
No thoughts on what you want your legacy to be?
I know it will be very strong and powerful because I will not relent. I will not relent for a second of my life. I will not give in. Everyday that I wake up I will wake up practicing and fighting for that just cause. So, I wouldn't care about my death like that because I will be fighting. If my generation fails to recognize what I am talking about, the next generation will [understand], or the next, or the next, or the next, or the next. But, I will always continue to fight any ungodly man I see in my music and my life. I will keep on fighting against the bad leadership in Africa and the influences of America and Europe that are killing millions of my people back home in Africa. I will continue fighting for these people. Already, I can have a good life. I'm not suffering. I can move anywhere and have a very peaceful life. But, I know if I did that I would not be forgiven in the Heavens. So, when I get to the Heavens I would be embarrassed. So, I am worried about that, I'm not worried about my life. When I get to the Heavens, I want my father and my great-great-great grandfather to say, "Yes, you did live up to the Kuti name."
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