“We Didn’t Sell It”: Femi Kuti Sets the Record Straight on Fela’s Catalogue

By David Adebayo

Amid growing speculation and online chatter over the fate of one of Africa’s most iconic musical legacies, Femi Kuti has firmly set the record straight, insisting that the catalogue of his legendary father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, remains untouched and unsold.

The Afrobeat musician addressed the controversy in a recent statement, pushing back against claims that the family had parted with the rights to Fela’s music, a body of work widely regarded as a cornerstone of African cultural and political expression.

Femi Kuti made it clear that the rumours were entirely false, stressing that there had been no transaction involving the catalogue at any point.

“We didn’t sell Fela’s catalogue,” he said, speaking emphatically on the issue that has sparked debates across social media platforms.

He expressed concern about how quickly misinformation spreads, noting that many people had accepted the claim without verifying its authenticity.

“I don’t know where people got that from, but it is not true,” he stated, dismissing the reports as baseless and misleading.

According to him, the preservation of Fela’s legacy remains a priority for the family, and any suggestion that it has been commercialised in such a manner is inaccurate.

Femi further emphasized that the music catalogue is deeply personal and symbolic, representing not just artistic excellence but also a history of resistance and activism.

“This is not just about music, this is about legacy,” he said, highlighting the cultural weight attached to Fela’s works.

He reiterated that the family continues to manage and protect the catalogue with great care, ensuring that it is handled in a way that aligns with Fela’s ideals and vision.

Femi also used the opportunity to urge the public to be cautious about spreading unverified information, especially when it concerns figures of significant historical importance.

“People should verify information before sharing it,” he advised, pointing to the role of digital platforms in amplifying false narratives.

The clarification comes at a time when global interest in African music archives is rising, with several high-profile acquisitions and licensing deals taking place in recent years.

Despite this trend, Femi maintained that Fela’s catalogue remains firmly within the family’s control, untouched by such commercial arrangements.