Afrobeat star Femi Kuti, who has been nominated for a Grammy, recently spoke about his family’s complex relationship with their own ethnic group, the Yorubas, stating that some of their strongest adversaries come from within. At the 2024 Felabration Festival in Lagos, he emphasized that his family has never aligned with tribalism, having been deeply influenced by pan-Africanist ideals during their upbringing.
Femi highlighted former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late business tycoon MKO Abiola as key figures who stood against the Kuti family. He made it clear that his family does not participate in tribal divisions, urging the public to avoid associating them with such issues.
Addressing the crowd, Femi said, “Brothers and sisters, there’s something crucial happening right now—ethnic tensions. Don’t drag the Anikulapos into tribal conflicts. We grew up with leaders like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Patrice Lumumba, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.”
He continued by saying, “Pan-Africanism was a core value in our home. I didn’t grow up with bias. I’ve known great people and terrible people from all walks of life—whether they’re African, European, or otherwise.”
Femi also reiterated, “One of the Kuti family’s biggest adversaries, as many know, are fellow Yorubas like Obasanjo or Abiola. But we are not tribalistic.”
