Fela Kuti Net Worth and Biography

What is Fela Kuti Net Worth? According to this website Fela Kuti net worth is estimated at around $5 million Us Dollars (Over 2 billion in Naira) Fela Kuti is among the Nigeria Africa’s most charismatic and challenging musical artists. He played saxophone, keyboards, trumpet, guitar, and drums in addition to singing. Although he’s late, his influence in the African music industry continues to transcend from generation to generation.

However in this article we are reviewing Fela Kuti Bio, Wikipedia, Parents, Father, Children, Endorsement deals, State Of Origin, Height, Net Worth, House and Cars, Phone Number, Contact, Marriage, Wife/Spouse, Education career, Social Media Account, Controversies, Wife/Spouse, Record Label.

Fela Kuti Net Worth

Let dive into Fela Kuti net worth

Net worth $5 million
Source Music & Endorsement Deals

Introduction

Fela Kuti was a Nigerian musician, composer, and human rights activist who had a net worth of $5 million at the time of his death.

That net worth includes the value of his his intellectual property including his likeness, name, trademarks and music catalog, which increased in value exponentially after his death.

Fela Kuti Biography

Fela Kuti was born in Abeokuta, Colony of Nigeria in October 1938 and passed away in August 1997. He was considered a pioneer in the music genre of Afrobeat.

Kuti was known as one of Africa’s most charismatic and challenging musical artists. He played saxophone, keyboards, trumpet, guitar, and drums in addition to singing.

Although he’s late, his influence in the African music industry continues to transcend from generation to generation.

In his lifetime, he was a music composer, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and political activist who held Pan-African views.

Starting out as a Jazz musician, Fela Kuti pioneered Afrobeat by combining traditional Yoruba percussion with American funk and jazz.

He is the father of musicians, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Kunle Anikulapo Kuti, Omosalewa Anikulapo Kuti, Sola Kuti, Motunrayo Anikulapo Kuti, and grandfather of Made Kuti, Rolari Segun, and Ayomide Kuti.

Fela Kuti Early Life

Fela Kuti was born to the family of Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti and Chief (Mrs.) Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, He comes from an influential upper-middle-class family.

His father was a school principal, an Anglican minister, and the Nigerian Union Of Teachers pioneer president. While his mother was a strong political activist, focusing more on women’s rights. She is also credited to be the first woman to ride a car in Nigeria.

Fela Kuti‘s older brother was a renowned medical doctor and former minister of health, Chief (Dr) Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, while his younger brother was Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, also a medical doctor. Fela Kuti is the first cousin of Nobel Laurette and writer, Wole Soyinka. Wole Soyinka ‘s mother is the younger sister of Fela Kuti‘s dad, Rev. Ransome-Kuti.

Fela Kuti spent his early years living with his family in Abeokuta before moving to England to pursue a university education. He decided to change his surname from Ransome Kuti to Anikulapo Kuti because he considered the former a slave name.

Fela Kuti Profile

  • Full Name: Olufela Anikulapo Kuti
  • Stage Name: Fela Kuti
  • Born: October 15, 1938 (age 58 years old)
  • Died: 2 August 1997, Lagos
  • Place of Birth: Abeokuta, Ogun, Nigeria
  • State Of Origin: Ogun State
  • Nationality: Nigerian
  • Parents: Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
  • Children: Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Kunle Anikulapo Kuti, Omosalewa Anikulapo Kuti, Sola Kuti, Motunrayo Anikulapo Kuti
  • Height: Updating soon
  • Siblings: Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Dolupo Ransome-Kuti
  • Wives/Spouses: Kikelomo Oseyni (m. 1978–1986), Sewaa Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Folake Oladejo (m. 1978–1986), Fehintola Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Omolara Shosanya (m. 1978–1986), Aduni Idowu (m. 1978–1986), Shade Shodeinde (m. 1978–1986), Alake Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Adeola Williams (m. 1978–1986), Bose Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Kevwe Oghomienor (m. 1978–1986), Funmi Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Lara Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Suru Eriomola (m. 1978–1986), Ihase Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Najite Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Omolola Osaeti (m. 1978–1986),
    Emaruagheru Osawe (m. 1978–1986), Tokunbo Akran (m. 1978–1986), Damiregba Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986),
    Laide Anikulapo-Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Adejonwo Iyabode Oguntiro (m. 1978–1986), Tejumade Adebiyi (m. 1978–1986), Ronke Edason (m. 1978–1986), Omowunmi Afesumo (m. 1978–1986), Omowunmi Oyedele (m. 1978–1986), Naa Lamiley (m. 1978–1986), Remilekun Taylor (m. 1978–1986).
  • Occupation: Singer, Activist
  • Net Worth: $5 million

Fela Kuti Career

While in England, Fela Kuti formed a band called Koola Lobitos that played a fusion of jazz and highlife in clubs in London.

He moved back to Nigeria in 1963, where he reformed the Koola Lobitos. Also, he joined Victor Olaiya‘s band for a while before seeking a new creative direction.

It was during this period that he founded the Afrobeat genre and renamed his band, African 70. After that, he established the Kalakuta Republic that served as a commune, recording studio and home.

Fela Kuti and his band released the album, Zombie in 1977, whose message was targeted at the present-day military government. The album was a commercial success selling thousands of copies.

Known for creating conscious political music, Fela Kuti was famous all over Africa. He also travelled down to Europe on tours, performing at different shows. One of Fela Kuti‘s music peculiarities is that his songs are very long: 25-30 mins.

This is because he uses a lot of instrumentals in his songs, and his music lyrics are known for their call and response feel.

In 1979, Fela Kuti formed a political party, Movement Of The People (MOP) and intended to run for president, but the government prevented him from congestion. By 1980, he decided to create a new band called Egypt 80. He released the album, Beasts Of No Nation in 1989.

Fela Kuti Educational Background

Fela Kuti completed his secondary school education in Abeokuta Grammar School. Although he was sent to London to study medicine, he opted to study music instead.

He enrolled at Trinity College Of Music, picking up interest in the trumpet and graduated after three years of study.

Fela Kuti Marital Status

In 1960, Fela Kuti got married to his first wife, Remilekun Taylor, who birthed three children for him: Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti and Sola Kuti.

Yeni Kuti is his first child and eldest daughter, while Femi Kuti is his first son. His youngest son is Seun Kuti, who is the one in charge of the Egypt 80 Band.

During his lifetime he reportedly had more than 20 wives/ partners. Fela Kuti made news in the 1970s when he married 27 women on the same day. However, he divorced most of them prior to his death.

Fela Kuti passed on after a prolonged illness on the 2nd Of August 1997. His elder brother, Olikoye Kuti, revealed that Fela Kuti had died as a result of AIDs related complications. However, his immediate family members denied the claim.

In 1977, his home, Kalakuta Republic, was invaded by 1000 soldiers, who burnt and destroyed his properties. He and his band members also suffered physical assault from the soldiers. The attack had responded to his recently released album, Zombie, which the government found offensive.

All Fela Kuti’s wives are Kikelomo Oseyni (m. 1978–1986), Sewaa Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Folake Oladejo (m. 1978–1986), Fehintola Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Omolara Shosanya (m. 1978–1986), Aduni Idowu (m. 1978–1986), Shade Shodeinde (m. 1978–1986), Alake Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986),

Adeola Williams (m. 1978–1986), Bose Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Kevwe Oghomienor (m. 1978–1986), Funmi Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Lara Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Suru Eriomola (m. 1978–1986), Ihase Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Najite Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Omolola Osaeti (m. 1978–1986),

Emaruagheru Osawe (m. 1978–1986), Tokunbo Akran (m. 1978–1986), Damiregba Anikulapo Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Laide Anikulapo-Kuti (m. 1978–1986), Adejonwo Iyabode Oguntiro (m. 1978–1986), Tejumade Adebiyi (m. 1978–1986), Ronke Edason (m. 1978–1986), Omowunmi Afesumo (m. 1978–1986), Omowunmi Oyedele (m. 1978–1986), Naa Lamiley (m. 1978–1986), and Remilekun Taylor (m. 1978–1986).

Fela Kuti Controversies

During his life he clashed many times with the Nigerian government and was jailed on several occasions, sometimes for longer than a year.

When he died in 1997, Fela did not leave a will or any formal indication for how he wanted his assets distributed. His estate recognized seven children, of which one was deceased.

A Pan-Africanist, Fela Kuti was imprisoned by the Buhari regime in 1984 because he was a vocal critic of the government. After spending twenty months in jail, he was released when Gen. Ibrahim Babangida came to power. By the 1990s,

Fela Kuti had reduced the number of albums he released and no longer went on tours in Europe.

Fela Kuti Shrine

Fela Kuti also set up a nightclub in Empire Hotel, which he named Afro-Spot before renaming it to New Afrika Shrine. Fela Kuti sang in Pidgin English, making it possible for his music to be understood and enjoyed by the multi-lingual Nigerian community. Pidgin English was a common language in the country.

Fela Kuti Record Label

In 1979, Fela Kuti formed a political party, Movement Of The People (MOP) and intended to run for president, but the government prevented him from congestion. By 1980, he decided to create a new band called Egypt 80.

Fela Kuti Top Songs

  •  Why Black Men Dey Suffer
  •  Live!
  •  Open & Close
  •  Shakara
  •  Roforofo Fight
  •  Gentleman
  •  Expensive Shit
  •  Confusion
  •  Water No Get Enemy
  •  J.J.D (Johnny Just Drop)
  •  Sorrows
  •  Tears and Blood
  •  Black President
  •  Original Sufferhead
  •  Unknown Soldier
  •  Army Arrangement
  •  Confusion
  •  Breaks Bones
  •  Suffering and Smilling
  •  Stalemate and Lady

I believe you guys would have been curious to know how much this celebrity has made so far in his music career

Fela Kuti Net Worth

During his lifetime, Fela Kuti made his wealth from the sales of his records, music tours and shows. He lived a simple but comfortable life.

Fela Kuti was able to amass a huge fortune which is estimated to be net worth of $5 million.

Fela Kuti net worth in Naira: is about ₦2,073,600,000.00 as of 2022.

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