Fela Kuti: Fear No Man

12: Bloodline Covers

10 snips
Dec 17, 2025
Shayun (Shéyoon) Kuti, the youngest son of Fela Kuti and leader of Egypt 80, shares his mission to preserve his father's Afrobeat legacy. Femi Kuti, also a son of Fela and leader of The Positive Force, discusses the discipline of music and life in Kalakuta. They reflect on the trauma and freedom of their childhood, the dynamics of family after Fela's death, and Shayun’s energetic rise as a performer. Femi emphasizes the importance of passing the torch to the next generation, highlighting a changing legacy in their music.
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ANECDOTE

Fela As A Father To The Nation

  • Yeni remembers Fela as a father to everyone, not just his biological children.
  • She idolized his lectures and accepted the confusing family dynamic as part of his legacy.
INSIGHT

Family Politics After Fela's Death

  • After Fela's death the family faced immediate logistical and moral decisions about the commune and band.
  • The funeral meeting revealed fractures based on which mother each child came from and different visions for the legacy.
INSIGHT

Afrobeat As Heritage And Duty

  • The episode frames Afrobeat as both a preserved tradition and a living movement.
  • Shayun positions himself as a custodian protecting Afrobeat rather than radically changing it.
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