Femi Kuti, the Grammy-nominated Nigerian musician and son of the late Afrobeats legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, recently opened up about his challenging experiences in school due to his father’s legacy.
In an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the multi-instrumentalist revealed that his time in school was often depressing. He faced bullying and shame from both teachers and fellow students who disapproved of his father’s lifestyle and actions. However, Femi Kuti refused to be intimidated or bullied.
He shared, “School was a very difficult period for me because there were teachers who liked my father and those who didn’t. So, if I got into trouble with a teacher who didn’t like him, that teacher would punish me because of their animosity towards my father. Eventually, I realized that they held a grudge against my father.”
Femi Kuti further explained that since the school he attended also had children from privileged backgrounds, he faced additional criticism and discrimination simply because he was Fela’s son. He recounted instances where he was taunted with remarks like, “Your father smokes marijuana, your father is crazy.” In response, Femi would retort, “Your father is a slave.”
He emphasized his sharp wit, stating, “My words were like a razor blade. If you insulted my father, by the time I insulted you back, you would end up crying.”