Seun Kuti - 'If I Wasnt Fela's Son, I Would Have Gone Farther Than This'

The youngest son of Afrobeat legend Fela
Anikulapo Kuti and new father Seun Kuti
tells City People mag about the limitations
his dad's name has brought to his music
career....
"I dont believe that being Fela's son
has helped my career. Yes I am
fela's son. Yes I grew up to love
music through him. Most people
believe it's easier looking in, when
you are out. Everything just seems
easier that way. But I keep saying
that the fact that I am Fela's son,
for me it didn't really help me
musically. The fact that I am Fela's
son has brought me more stress
than good fortune. I believe if I
wasn't Fela's son with my amount
of talent and what I have been able
to achieve, I would have gone far.
What people see in Nigeria is 'Hey,
he is just like his father. Who is
seun? Oh, he is Fela's son' and that
is it. They dont bother to look deep
into what I am doing. I see them
singing high praises of people here
that for me, musically, I dont see
what they are singing. What I am
saying is Yes I am Fela's son but it
still took me 10 years to get my
record deal after his death.
Me I believe I have paid my dues.
There was no Fela's name helping
me get anything. My brother, Femi,
won that lottery, I have to say.
There was already one Kuti out
there. It's like that with music
families. There is only one person
that is pushed by the name. The
others have to strive. Being Fela's
son, especially when you have a
brother that is already out there,
will make it difficult for you after
him. What that does to you is that
they listen, but before they listen,
they have already set the standard
so high. I am lucky that still with all
the talk and comparisons all the
time, I am still able to break my
own barriers and we are doing our
own thing. The band and I, and we
have achieved great success. Since
the first album, internationally, we
have been able to close that
chapter of people comparing us.
They now know that we are our
own force. Right now the band has
made more money, played in more
places than they ever did under my
dad.