The son of Afro-beat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Femi Kuti spent years playing in his father's band before eventually rising to superstardom following his father's death in the late '90s. Since few artists can match his father's legacy of not only music but influence, Femi's relation as his son is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it's never been difficult for Femi to garner press or attention, and MCA went out of its way to push his career with ridiculous amounts of publicity. Yet on the other hand, no matter his individual accomplishments, Femi will forever be known as Fela's son. Practicing a similar style of Afro-beat as his father, Femi helped introduce the percussive blend of jazz and funk music to the international masses beginning in the mid-'90s, along with his father's same sense of political activism. After his father's death in 1997, Femi suddenly found himself the subject of immense attention. He responded by signing with MCA and embarking on his solo career beginning with Shoki Shoki. He won tremendous critical celebration around the world and began making efforts to break into the U.S. mainstream in successive years.
Femi performs regularly in Lagos, and has toured extensively in Europe and the United States, including a 50-date European tour last fall and across-the-board critics' pick US club tours last September and this spring. Femi and The Positive Force will return to the US this summer for several festival dates. In September, 1999 Femi received top honors at the Kora All Africa Music Awards, including Best Male Artist in Africa and Best Song for his charged single "Beng Beng Beng," and at the globally-televised World Music Awards on May 10, 2000, Femi received the Best-Selling African Artist award and performed "Beng Beng Beng" to a captivated audience.
