Seun Kuti


Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known Seun Kuti, is a Nigerian musician, singer and the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. Seun leads his father's former band Egypt 80.

Early life and education

The youngest son of Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti was born in 1983. He became interested in music at the age of five, by the time he turned nine, he had started playing with his father's band, Egypt 80.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Kuti pursued his musical education at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. During his time there, he became a member of the African Funk ensemble known as River Niger.

Biography

Fela Kuti died in 1997 and Seun Kuti took to the role of leading Egypt 80.
In 2008, the band released an album called Many Things. This was the first album released under the moniker Seun Kuti & Egypt 80.
He is featured in Calle 13's song "Todo se mueve", on their 2010 album Entren los que quieran.
In 2014, Kuti was given an honorary invitation to perform live for the first time at the Industry Nite.
In 2019, Kuti was a featured guest on 85 to Africa; the second album by American rapper Jidenna. In June, Kuti was featured in the Visual Collaborative electronic catalogue, under the Polaris series, he was interviewed on Pan-African awareness, his country and music.

Politics

Kuti participated actively in the Occupy Nigeria protests against the fuel subsidy removal policy of President Goodluck Jonathan in his country Nigeria in January 2012. Seun Kuti is an atheist.
In 2019, on Jidenna's 85 to Africa album Kuti voiced an outro of a song with the words:
"I believe it's time for an African peoples powered highway. A highway that will connect the Diaspora and Motherland. A global highway for African people all over the world to rediscover themselves. To remember that the only thing that unites black people, globally, the only thing we all have in common is that we are from Africa".
In November 2020, Kuti led the revival of his father's defunct political party – Movement of the People – with the intention of registering it with Nigeria's electoral body, Independent [National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|INEC].
In fall 2023, Kuti signed the open letter Artists Against Apartheid in support of Palestinians.

Personal life

On 16 December 2013, Kuti and his partner had a daughter.

Discography

Released as Sean Kuti & Egypt 80:

Studio albums

  • Many Things
  • From Africa With Fury: Rise
  • A Long Way to the Beginning
  • Struggle Sounds
  • Black Times
  • Night Dreamer Direct to Disc Sessions
  • ''Heavier Yet ''

Other recordings

  • Think Africa
  • African Dreams EP

Appearances

  • "James Brown"
  • "Float"

Awards & recognitions

In 2018, Black Times, by Kuti was nominated for a Grammy Award in the World Music Category. This makes him the second child of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti to be considered for this award, as his elder brother Femi Kuti has been previously nominated in the same category without a win.
In 2019, Kuti was named one of the "100 Most Influential People" by Time for his music and activism.