Femi Kuti Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings, Songs, Albums

Biography

Femi Kuti, born Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti on June 16, 1962, in London, is a talented Nigerian musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist celebrated for his impact on Afrobeat.

As the eldest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, he has both preserved and expanded his father’s musical legacy. Femi began his career performing with Fela’s Egypt 80 band before founding his own group, Positive Force, in 1986.

His music fuses Afrobeat with jazz, funk, and highlife, delivering powerful messages on social and political issues through vibrant, horn-driven compositions.

A four-time Grammy nominee, he has released critically acclaimed albums such as Shoki Shoki (1998) and Africa for Africa (2010), solidifying his role as a global ambassador of African music. Based in Lagos, he also oversees the New Afrika Shrine, a cultural centre dedicated to his father’s vision.

Nigerian musician
Femi Kuti
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti
Stage Name:	Femi Kuti
Born:	16 June 1962 (age 62 years old)
Place of Birth:	London, England, United Kingdom
State Of Origin:	Lagos State
Nationality:	Nigerian
Education:	N/A
Height:	N/A
Parents:	Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, Remilekun Taylor
Siblings:	Seun Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Motunrayo Anikulapo Kuti, Kunle Anikulapo Kuti, Sola Kuti, Shalewa Kuti
Spouse:	Funke Kuti
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Made Kuti, Ayomide Kuti, Made Anikulapo Kuti
Occupation:	Musician • Multi-instrumentalist
Net Worth:	$1.5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Femi Kuti, born Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti on June 16, 1962, entered the world in London, England, though he spent much of his life in Nigeria.

He is of Yoruba ethnicity, reflecting his family’s roots in southwestern Nigeria. While Femi has not publicly emphasized a specific religious affiliation, his father’s outspoken views and Afrocentric philosophy likely influenced his upbringing, which was steeped in cultural rather than strictly religious traditions.

Femi is the eldest son of Fela Kuti, the legendary Afrobeat innovator and political activist, and Remilekun Taylor, a British-Nigerian woman who was one of Fela’s wives.

Growing up in a polygamous household, Femi has numerous siblings, including full and half-siblings from his father’s multiple marriages. Notable among them are his younger brother Seun Kuti, who also became an Afrobeat musician, and his sister Yeni Kuti, a dancer and cultural figure. His other siblings are Motunrayo Anikulapo Kuti, Kunle Anikulapo Kuti, Sola Kuti, and Shalewa Kuti.

Fela’s unconventional lifestyle and revolutionary ideals shaped Femi’s early environment, exposing him to music, activism, and the complexities of a large, dynamic family.

Details about Femi’s formal education are sparse, as his early life was heavily intertwined with his father’s musical and political world. Raised partly in Lagos, Nigeria, he was immersed in the sounds of Afrobeat from a young age, learning to play instruments like the saxophone and trumpet under Fela’s influence.

Rather than pursuing traditional schooling, Femi’s education came through hands-on experience in his father’s band, Egypt 80, where he began performing as a teenager.

Career

Femi Kuti’s career is a dynamic fusion of musical innovation, activism, and dedication to evolving the Afrobeat genre pioneered by his father, Fela Kuti. His journey began in his teens when he joined Fela’s Egypt 80 band in 1979 as a saxophonist.

Under his father’s mentorship, Femi refined his craft, contributing to the band’s electrifying performances and mastering the intricate blend of jazz, funk, highlife, and West African rhythms infused with socio-political commentary.

In 1986, determined to establish his identity, Femi left Egypt 80 to form his band, Positive Force. This marked the beginning of his independent career, where he infused Afrobeat’s foundational elements with jazz, funk, and a more accessible, danceable sound.

His debut album, No Cause for Alarm? (1989), introduced his distinctive style, but it was Shoki Shoki (1998) that brought him international recognition. The album’s infectious energy and sharp social commentary earned him a global following and his first Grammy nomination in 2000 for Best World Music Album.

Femi’s discography showcases his artistic growth and versatility. Albums like Fight to Win (2001), featuring collaborations with Western artists such as Mos Def and Jaguar Wright, bridged African and global sounds.

Later works like Day by Day (2008) and No Place for My Dream (2013) earned further Grammy nominations, reflecting his introspective songwriting and refined production. His 2011 album, Africa for Africa, recorded at Lagos’ legendary Decca Studios, was a raw, unfiltered return to his roots, tackling themes of corruption and resilience in Africa.

Beyond recording, Femi is a magnetic live performer, renowned for his high-energy shows with Positive Force, where he showcases his skills on saxophone, trumpet, and keyboards. He also co-manages the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, a cultural hub rebuilt after the destruction of the original venue founded by Fela. The Shrine continues honouring his father’s legacy while amplifying Femi’s voice. His activism, though less confrontational than Fela’s, is deeply embedded in his lyrics, addressing poverty, governance, and African unity.

Femi Kuti has cemented his status as an Afrobeat torchbearer and a global music icon with four Grammy nominations and collaborations spanning continents. His latest project, Legacy + (2021), a collaborative album with his son Made Kuti, reflects his commitment to passing the genre’s rich heritage to the next generation while keeping Afrobeat alive and evolving.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Femi Kuti
• LinkedIn: Femi Kuti – Reliance Health
• YouTube: Femi Kuti
• Instagram: Femi Anikulapo-kuti (@femiakuti)
• Twitter: Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) / X
• Facebook: Femi Anikulapo-Kuti

Personal Life

Femi Kuti, born on June 16, 1962, is 62 years old. He was previously married to Funke Kuti, a dancer and member of his Positive Force band.

The two wed in the late 1980s and had a son, Omorinmade Kuti—known as Made Kuti—born in 1995. Following his father’s footsteps, Made has pursued a music career, collaborating with Femi on projects like the 2021 album Legacy +. Femi and Funke eventually divorced, though the details of their separation remain private. Funke has remained active in Nigeria’s entertainment scene and managed aspects of the New Afrika Shrine.

Femi has acknowledged having other children, including Ayomide Kuti, outside his marriage to Funke, though he keeps details about his romantic life largely out of the public eye. In interviews, he has candidly spoken about fathering multiple children, reflecting the polygamous traditions of his father, Fela Kuti, though he has not publicly disclosed their identities or exact numbers.

Regarding his physical stature, there are no official records of Femi Kuti’s height, but he is often described as lean and energetic, in line with his high-energy performances.

Net Worth

Femi Kuti, the Nigerian Afrobeat icon and eldest son of Fela Kuti, has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million as of recent assessments.

His wealth stems from a decades-long career as a musician, multi-instrumentalist, and bandleader of Positive Force, with income generated through album sales, international tours, and live performances, including at the New Afrika Shrine, which he co-manages.

Notable achievements, such as four Grammy nominations and a Guinness World Record for the longest saxophone note held via circular breathing (51 minutes, 35 seconds in 2017), have bolstered his earning potential.

While not among Nigeria’s wealthiest contemporary artists, his financial success reflects his enduring influence and dedication to Afrobeat, complemented by ventures like his past management deal with Chocolate City Music Group.

Discography

Studio Albums

1. No Cause for Alarm? (1989)
   • Femi’s debut album, marking his break from Fela’s Egypt 80 to establish his own sound.
2. M.Y.O.B. (Mind Your Own Business) (1991)
   • A follow-up that continued to define his independent Afrobeat style.
3. Shoki Shoki (1998)
   • A breakthrough album that earned him international recognition and a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album.
4. Fight to Win (2001)
   • Featured collaborations with artists like Mos Def and Jaguar Wright, blending Afrobeat with hip-hop and soul.
5. Day by Day (2008)
   • A critically acclaimed release that garnered another Grammy nomination, showcasing a matured sound.
6. Africa for Africa (2010)
   • Recorded at Decca Studios in Lagos, this album returned to raw Afrobeat roots and earned a Grammy nod.
7. No Place for My Dream (2013)
   • A reflective work addressing social issues, securing his fourth Grammy nomination.
8. Legacy + (2021)
   • A dual album project with his son Made Kuti, where Femi’s contribution, Stop the Hate, highlights intergenerational collaboration.

Live Albums and Compilations

• Live at the Shrine (2004)
  • A live recording capturing Femi’s electrifying performances at the New Afrika Shrine.
• The Definitive Collection (2007)
  • A compilation of his best works up to that point, celebrating his career highlights.

Other Notable Works

• Femi has contributed to various soundtracks, remixes, and collaborations, including tracks with artists like D’Angelo and Common, though these are not standalone albums.
• His singles, such as “Beng Beng Beng” from Shoki Shoki and “Truth Don Die” from Fight to Win, have become anthems in their own right.