Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: From Pity Admission to Music Legend
Today, he's hailed as a legend, yet Fela was enrolled in music school out of pity, as recounted by Yeni Kuti.
In an eye-opening conversation on 'Your View', TVC, Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeats pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, revealed an intriguing tale about her father's unexpected journey to the Trinity College of Music, London, in 1958.
Yeni shared that Fela struggled academically, making his parents reluctant to let him pursue studies abroad. However, his older siblings tricked their parents into believing that Fela was admitted to a medical school, paving the way for him to travel to England.
Upon arrival, Fela found himself on the brink of rejection from Trinity College of Music due to his subpar qualifications. Yet, the admission officer showed mercy, recognizing Fela's long journey and admitting him to the school.
Yeni continued, "I've got to tell you a story about my old man, Fela. Back in his school days, you know his parents were scholars, so they were always pushing him to perform academically.
'He was with his younger brother at the time, while his older brother and sister were studying overseas. His younger brother was excelling in his studies, but Fela was just average.
'His parents wanted to keep him in Nigeria for his education, but his brother was insistent on him joining him in London. So, they fibbed to their parents, saying Fela was going to a medical school.
'That's how he made it to England. They enrolled him into a musical school because by then, Fela was already quite the pianist. When he arrived at the music school, the admission officer said, 'The only reason I'm going to let you in this school with these grades is because you've traveled such a long way.' And look at him now, he's a goddamn legend!"
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[1] Enrichment: The Trinity College of Music is one of the oldest conservatoires in London and has produced numerous acclaimed musicians.[2] Enrichment: Fela's journey to England led him to become a groundbreaking figure in Afrobeats, winning international acclaim while fierce government opposition escalated his political activism.[3] Enrichment: Fela's music, centered around social and political commentary, is regarded as a significant expression of African identity and resistance.
- The unusual tale of Fela's admission to the Trinity College of Music in London was shared by Yeni Kuti, his daughter, on a TVC show, revealing how his older siblings tricked their parents into believing he was admitted to a medical school so he could pursue his passion for music instead.
- In an interview, Femi Kuti, son of Fela, spoke about the time his father publicly criticized one of his albums, adding another layer to the stories of the Kuti family's dynamic and contentious relationships within the realm of Nigeria's entertainment and pop-culture scene.
- Seun Kuti, another son of Fela, addressed the misconception that his father was a political activist due to his government clashes, explaining that, in reality, Fela was mainly focused on advocating for social justice through his music and expressions of Nigerian pop-culture and identity.
