How people predicted 12 of us would die in my family – Femi Kuti

Grammy-nominated afrobeat musician Femi Kuti recounted how some individuals foretold that after the deaths of his father, late afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, his sister, Shola Kuti, and a cousin at a stretch, 12 of his family members would pass away in quick succession.

He claimed that time was especially trying for him because he was the first son of the family and everyone was telling him to be strong.

This was said by the multi-instrumentalist during an interview with well-known media figure Chude Jideonwo.

After his wife, Funke, left him in the midst of the crisis, he claimed that many people believed he would go insane.

Kuti said: “Fela had just gone [died]. My sister [Shola] had gone. My cousin had gone. Some people were predicting that 12 of us would die. And I [was] saying, is this prediction going to come true?

“We had our internal family problems. They would say, ‘You know, you are the first son; you must do it.’ And I would say, ‘Who born me inside this wahala like this?’ Then my wife go [got separated from me]. And they said, ‘Femi is going mad.’ It was terrible.”

He, however, said he was thankful for the experience, adding that it made him who he is today.

See video below;

“When my wife left me, everyone thought I was running mad.” – Femi Kutihttps://t.co/urthA8X7mb pic.twitter.com/6VigNTCihR

— #WithChude (@WithChude_) June 26, 2023