Grammy-nominated musician Seun Kuti has disclosed that, growing up, he experienced stigmatization due to his relationship with the late, rebellious Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti.
In a recent interview, Kuti discussed how his fatherhood had an impact on his relationship with actress Iyabo Ojo. He emphasized that this meant he was unable to see his girlfriend’s father.
He claimed that because his late father did nothing to merit it, the stigmatization was abhorrent.
Kuti said, “Growing up, I was stigmatized for being Fela’s son. I couldn’t even enter my girlfriend’s father’s house. Even the street, people would always point at me and say, ‘See Fela pikin.’ It was annoying because my father didn’t do anything.
“Now, these killers, murderers, corrupt thieves that their actions are killing millions of Nigerians everyday, you are willing to be in party with them and hailing them. We need to check ourselves.”
He also disclosed during the interview that he joined his late father’s band, Egypt 80, at the age of 8.
