Seun Kuti has come to the defence of his elder brother, Femi Kuti after their late father’s ex-manager, Baba Ani revealed in an interview that Femi banned him from New Afrika Shrine.
In a recent interview with Arise TV to commemorate his 85th birthday, Baba Ani who used to manage the legendary Fela Kuti revealed that banned him from visiting the New Afrika Shrine over his refusal to work with him.
According to Baba Ani, after Fela’s death, Femi approached him and asked if he wanted to join his or Seun’s music band.
He added that as Fela’s eldest son, he considered working with him at first, but then changed his mind and joined Egypt 80, the late singer’s band, which is currently led by Seun.
Baba Ani stated that he felt more at ease working with Seun’s band because he had begun mentoring him before Fela passed away.
He claimed that his decision did not sit well with Femi and that he was eventually barred from entering the New Afrika Shrine.
In his words;
“I was banned from entering the shrine by Femi. When Fela died, and Beko, who was then the manager of the band, was in prison. On two occasions, Femi called me privately, asking me if I was going to join him, or his uncle and Seun,” he said.
“So, I told him that ‘you are the most senior son of Fela, and everything Fela left behind is in your hands, so that question shouldn’t have come from you. That was what I told him.’
“As time went by, he saw that I was more with Seun and the Egypt 80 band. This is a young man I know very well. So, I decided to go with Seun. I was mentoring Seun, even before Fela died. I think that was my offense.
“The very first day at the Egypt 80 band, because there was a quarrel and they had to go to court, the judge in charge of the case settled the matter in the chambers, and somewhere along the line, Seun was asked to start coming to play at the shrine.
“On the very first day the band was going to play there, I got to Kalakuta, Fela’s house in Ikeja. I went upstairs to meet Seun and he told me he wouldn’t like me to be present at the show.
“I asked why, he said ‘anytime I’m discussing with my brothers and I mention your name, what they used to say was unprintable. So, please don’t go with the band.’ He, however, assured me that I would be paid regardless.
“When he got to the shrine that night, they went upstairs in his office to greet him, and he was so annoyed. He was looking for his gun. He started to hurl insults at me. Somewhere along with his rant, he told the boys to tell me not to show my face at the shrine anytime. Since that time, I have not been to the Shrine.”
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In reaction to the interview, Seun Kuti took to Instagram to post a picture of him, Femi Kuti and his nephew, Made Kuti. In the caption, he defended his brother and claims the allegation was not totally factual.
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Revealing that his family decided to let peace reign years ago, Seun Kuti said he was shocked to see Baba Ani opening old wounds and have taken the decision to stand with his family.
“It has come to my attention that some stories are occupying the social media due to what Baba Ani alleged. That is what it is, an allegation not totally factual.
My family and I decided years ago to let peace reign, I have spoken to Baba Ani several times too. I’m shocked he has decided to open up old wound and fabricate the truth. And as I have pointed out to him I stand with my family and brother Femi Anikulapo-Kuti #getthesax @yeniakuti @femiakuti”
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Yeni Kuti, daughter of late Fela Kuti has also responded to Baba Ani’s allegation, tagging it false.
Yeni debunked the allegation in an Instagram post on Tuesday, describing the story as a means of igniting “flames of discord” in the family.
“I am surprised that one of the perpetrators and feeders of the ‘war’ in the family has come up to give a narrative of outright lies instead of being an elder and trying to make things right, is trying to fan once again flames of discord.
As long as I am alive I will continue to make sure they fail. The Kuti family remains a united family,” she wrote in parts.
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