Femi Kuti Reveals Emotional Reason Fela’s Catalogue Was Retained

Femi Kuti Fela catalogue remarks explain why the family rejected offers and kept control of the late icon’s music rights

Femi Kuti, the Grammy-nominated Nigerian artist, said the family of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti refused numerous offers to sell the legend’s music rights in order to protect his legacy.

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Femi said ownership of the catalogue remains under Fela’s estate and is still controlled by the family.

He explained that the family instead chose to license the music to a foreign company for a fixed period, allowing the estate to retain long-term authority over the catalogue.

“We never sold Fela’s catalogue. It is under Fela’s estate controlled by the family. But we licensed the music,” Femi Kuti said.

The musician added that once the current arrangement ends, the family plans to reclaim full control and consider a new licensing deal.

Femi Kuti said Yeni Kuti, his elder sister, played a decisive role in rejecting any sale.

He described Yeni Kuti as the caretaker of the family legacy and said her determination quickly convinced other relatives that selling the catalogue would be a costly mistake.

“If we had sold it, no royalty would be coming to the family,” Femi Kuti said, highlighting the financial and cultural value of keeping ownership intact.

The comments offered a rare glimpse into how one of Africa’s most influential musical families has managed the powerful legacy of Fela Kuti decades after his death.

Also read: Femi Kuti Reveals Painful Journey Out of Fela’s Shadow

Femi Kuti also said he hopes the next generation of the family will continue to defend and preserve the iconic Afrobeat heritage.