Seun Kuti

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Seun Kuti
Seun kuti.jpg
Seun Kuti at the 2008 Marsatac Festival in Marseille, France
Background information
Birth nameOluseun Anikulapo Kuti
Born (1983-01-11) 11 January 1983 (age 41)
Lagos, Nigeria
Origin Nigeria
Genres Afrobeat
Occupation(s)Musician, singer
Instrument(s) Saxophone, vocals
Labels Disorient Records, Knitting Factory Records, Strut Records
Website https://www.seunkuti.net/

Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti (born 11 January 1983), [1] 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. [2] [3]

Contents

Educational Background

Seun Kuti, following in the footsteps of his father, 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 [4] [5]

Biography

The youngest son of Fela Kuti, 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. [6]

Fela Kuti died in 1997 and Seun Kuti took to the role of leading Egypt 80. [7]

In 2008, the band released an album called Many Things. This was the first album released under the moniker Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. [7] [8] [9]

He is featured in Calle 13's song "Todo se mueve" (Everything Moves), on their 2010 album Entren los que quieran.

In 2014, Seun Kuti was given an honorary invitation to perform live for the first time at the Industry Nite. [10]

In 2019, Kuti was a featured guest on 85 to Africa ; the second album by American rapper Jidenna. [11] 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. [12]

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. [13]

In 2019, on Jidenna's 85 to Africa album Kuti voiced an outro of a song with the words: [11]

"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". [14]

In November 2020, he led the revival of his father's defunct political party - Movement of the People [15] - with the intention of registering it with Nigeria's electoral body, INEC. [16]

In fall 2023, he signed the open letter Artists Against Apartheid in support of Palestinians. [17]

Personal life

Seun welcomed a baby girl with his partner on 16 December 2013 and named her Ifafunmike Adara Anikulapo-Kuti. [18]

Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80 Orchestra performing at Celebrate Brooklyn 2011 Seunkuti-egypt80.JPG
Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80 Orchestra performing at Celebrate Brooklyn 2011

Reception

In 2018, Black Times, by Seun Kuti was nominated for the Grammys, 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. [19] [20] [21] [22]

Discography

Released as Sean Kuti & Egypt 80:

Studio albums

Other recordings

Appearances

Awards & Nominations

In 2018, Seun Kuti's 'Black Times' album was nominated for the Grammys, under the World Music Category

In 2019, Seun Kuti was named one of the "100 Most Influential People" by TIME Magazine for his music and activism.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afrobeat</span> West African music genre, distinct from Afrobeats

Afrobeat is a Nigerian music genre that involves the combination of West African musical styles from mainly Nigeria such as the traditional Yoruba and Igbo music and highlife with American funk, jazz, and soul influences. With a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersecting rhythms, and percussion. The style was pioneered in the 1960s by Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti, who is most known for popularizing the style both within and outside Nigeria. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fela Kuti</span> Nigerian musician and activist (1938–1997)

Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì, also famously known as Abàmì Ẹ̀dá, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the King of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers". AllMusic described him as "a musical and sociopolitical voice" of international significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femi Kuti</span> Nigerian musician and singer-songwriter

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knitting Factory Records</span> American record label

Knitting Factory Records is an independent American music label that is notable for promoting a variety of artists, including the music of deceased Nigerian political activist Fela Kuti. The label promotes a variety of music artists including Ages and Ages, Ash Black Bufflo, Cuong Vu, Graham Haynes, Femi Kuti, Gary Lucas, Lumerians, Thomas Chapin, Patrolled By Radar, Joe Morris, Rachid Taha, Seun Kuti, and Shilpa Ray and her Happy Hookers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ransome-Kuti family</span> Nigerian political family

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<i>Unknown Soldier</i> (Fela Kuti album) 1979 studio album by Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti and his Africa 70

Unknown Soldier is an album by Nigerian Afrobeat composer, bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti, recorded in 1979 and originally released on the Nigerian Skylark label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burna Boy</span> Nigerian singer-songwriter (born 1991)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Afrika Shrine</span> Entertainment centre in Lagos, Nigeria

The New Afrika Shrine is an open air entertainment centre located in Ikeja, Lagos State. It serves as the host location of the annual Felabration music festival. Currently managed by Femi Kuti and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, it is the replacement of the old Afrika Shrine created in 1970 by Fela Kuti until it was burnt down in 1977. The New Afrika Shrine showcases photo galleries of Fela and music performances by Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti thus making it a tourist attraction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felabration</span> Music festival

Felabration is an annual music festival conceived in 1998 by Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti in memory and celebration of her father Fela Kuti, a Nigerian musician and human rights activist known for pioneering the afrobeat genre of music. The one-week-long event which is held annually at the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, attracts visitors from different countries and has thus been considered as an official tourist destination by the Lagos State Government.

Ọmọ́yẹni 'Yeni' Aníkúlápó Kútì is a dancer, singer and descendant of the Ransome-Kuti family. Her grandmother was Nigerian women's rights activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Anikulapo-Kuti pioneered the idea of Felabration, a music festival conceived to celebrate the life and contributions of her late father Fela Kuti to the Nigerian society.

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<i>Moral Instruction</i> 2019 studio album by Falz

Moral Instruction is the fourth studio album by Nigerian rapper Falz. It was released on January 15, 2019, by Bahd Guys Entertainment. The album was recorded in Nigerian pidgin and samples musical recordings from Fela Kuti. Its production was primarily handled by Sess, with additional production from TMXO, Willis, and Chillz. The album features collaborations with Demmie Vee, Chillz and Sess. Moral Instruction addresses societal issues such as corrupt politicians, corruption, police brutality, prostitution, social injustice and internet fraud. The album's release was preceded by "Talk", a socio-conscious record that addresses critical events. The cover art for Moral Instruction was created by Nigerian artist Lemi Ghariokwu, a long-time Fela collaborator. The album won Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at The Headies 2019.

<i>Teacher Dont Teach Me Nonsense</i> 1986 studio album by Fela Kuti

Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense is a 1986 studio album by Fela Kuti and the Egypt 80.

<i>Army Arrangement</i> 1985 studio album by Fela Kuti

Army Arrangement is a 1985 studio album by Fela Kuti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Movement of the People</span> Political movement in Nigeria

The Movement of the People, commonly abbreviated as MOP or M.O.P, is a Nigerian left-wing pan-African political movement. The organisation was originally formed by Fela Anikulapo Kuti in 1979 as a political party but quickly became inactive due to Fela's confrontations with the government at the time. It has since been revived by Fela's youngest son, Seun Kuti in the wake of the Nigerian End SARS protests of October 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Made Kuti</span> Nigerian singer and songwriter

Ọmọ́rìnmádé Kútì known professionally as Made Kuti, is a Nigerian afrobeat singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. He released his debut album titled For(e)ward in 2021.

<i>Legacy+</i> 2021 studio album by Femi Kuti and Made Kuti

Legacy+ is a 2021 double album by Femi Kuti and Made Kuti. The album is made up of Femi Kuti's Stop the Hate and Made Kuti's For(e)ward. It was released on 5 February 2021.

<i>Beasts of No Nation</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Fela Kuti

Beasts of No Nation is an album by the Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. It was released in 1989. Kuti is credited with his band Egypt 80.

References

  1. ↑ "Seun Kuti: All you need to know about Fela's son as he turns 33 today". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  2. ↑ Anikulapo, Seun (5 July 2011). "Femi And Seun Kuti Keep Their Father's Rebellious Beat". NPR. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "Seun Anikulapo Kuti, youngest son and musical heir to Fela Kuti". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  4. ↑ Lewis, John (7 April 2011). "Seun Kuti: The sun always shines". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Mutsoli, Vivian (11 January 2021). "Seun Kuti biography: age, mother, educational background, wife". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Seun Kuti | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  8. ↑ Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80 - Seun Kuti, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic , retrieved 6 September 2020
  9. ↑ "Seun Kuti + Fela's Egypt 80* - Many Things". Discogs. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  10. ↑ "Seun Kuti Thrills at Industry Nite". Pulse Nigeria TV. Chuey. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  11. 1 2 Nguyen, Dean Van (23 August 2019). "Jidenna: 85 to Africa – Classic Man takes it back to the source". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  12. ↑ "U.S based Festival Platform Visual Collaborative features Seun Kuti & Other Africans". BellaNaija. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  13. ↑ "I am happy I'm an atheist, says Seun Kuti - Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  14. ↑ Jidenna (Ft. Seun Kuti) – Worth the Weight , retrieved 24 August 2019
  15. ↑ "#EndSARS: Seun Kuti Revives Fela's Movement Of The People, Calls For Better Governance". 17 November 2020. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  16. ↑ Bamidele, Michael (16 January 2021). "Seun Kuti Set To Register Fela's Political Party "Movement Of The People"". The Guardian Life . Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  17. ↑ "Sign the Letter: Artists Against Apartheid". The People's Forum. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  18. ↑ Naming ceremony -- Gistplaza.com Archived 21 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine -- Retrieved from Nigerian entertainment site Gistplaza.com, 2014-02-12
  19. ↑ "Will Seun Kuti finally bring home the Grammy Awards for the Anikulapo Kuti family?". Pulse Nigeria TV. Ehis Ohunyon. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  20. ↑ Ohunyon, Ehis (11 December 2018). "Will Seun Kuti finally bring home the Grammy Awards for the Anikulapo Kuti family?". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  21. ↑ Udodiong, Inemesit (11 February 2019). "Grammys 2019: Sole Nigerian nominee Seun Kuti loses 'World Music Award' to Soweto Gospel Choir". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  22. ↑ Abimbola, Oluwakemi (27 October 2018). "Seun Kuti gets Grammy nomination". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  23. ↑ Black Times - Seun Kuti, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic , retrieved 6 September 2020
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