Iconic musician Femi Kuti says he hides bitter truths in his biggest upbeat hits
Six-time Grammy nominee Femi Kuti has spent a lifetime turning political activism and topics of global suffering into irresistible dance anthems, employing a clever trick he equates to disguising a bitter malaria tablet. Despite his legendary status and decades of performing, the Afrobeat icon admits he still battles paralyzing stage fright before stepping into the spotlight. He discussed his current tour and his new studio album, the 14th released in his storied career, on the Dam Yankee podcast with Zack Newmark, now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more services.
During the interview, Kuti opened up about the often heavy subjects and "hard" issues behind his joyous sound. "The way I see my music is this: There used to be a malaria tablet. As children, it was the worst tablet you could take. It was so bitter. And the way our parents got us to take it was, they would give us a soda," he explained.
"That was the only way to take that tablet. It was disgustingly bitter. So the issues are so hard. I think I just came up with rhythms and melodies that will help digest these hard topics I sing about. So you can still dance, you can still party. So consciously or subconsciously, the lyrics will hit you."
By wrapping sharp political critiques of corruption and injustice inside pulsating rhythms and roaring saxophones, he forces the medicine down. But what happens when the weight of that message becomes too heavy for the messenger?
[Hear the full malaria tablet metaphor and how he crafts his rhythms at 01:54]
Beyond the stage, Kuti's mind is often left pondering the devastating state of global affairs. Though he has dedicated his life to creating uplifting music that calls for unity, he remains deeply troubled by the continuous cycle of violence perpetuated by world leaders.
"Why are we still making bombs? Why are we still killing?" Kuti asked, visibly frustrated by the lack of compassion in international politics. "I don't even know how people sleep at night after all these killings." He noted humanity is investing in "more bombs, more guns, more bullets, more killings, less love and less of the things we should be truly, striving for".
Despite the darkness he sees in the news and on social media, he remains steadfast in his mission to inject light into the world. He views his art as a necessary counterweight to the chaos, focusing his energy on advocating for global harmony. "I want to see world peace. I want to see more joy and more happiness," he stated. But when asked how he maintains his own spiritual balance when even looking at social media feels depressing, Kuti revealed a profound perspective on his role as a vessel for higher powers.
[Hear Kuti explain how he channels spiritual energy to survive a chaotic world at 10:40]
Kuti recently launched his highly anticipated European tour to support his latest introspective album, "Journey Through Life." After kicking off earlier in April with electrifying, and in several cases sold-out, performances in Arnhem, Alkmaar, The Hague, and Maastricht, the pressure is mounting.
With eight more dates on the horizon this month, including stops in Anvers, Paris, London, and across the U.K., he confessed that the relentless demand takes a psychological toll. "I put a lot of, stress in my life I work on. That is very stressful. Scary. Very scary," Kuti revealed. "I'm always scared of about the next day. I'm always scared," he said, even as he continues into his fifth decade on stage.
The physical and mental stamina required to lead his dynamic band, The Positive Force, weighs heavily on his mind as the tour progresses. "We have 19 dates and I mustn't lose my voice. I mustn't lose my energy," he said. "After ten gigs, people don't care where I'm coming from. They want it to be better than the last time. I must still be fresh at 63. That is very difficult." How does he push past the his fear every single night to deliver the high-energy show his fans expect? Kuti shares his pre-show ritual and survival mechanism in the interview.
[Listen to Kuti describe his battle with anxiety and tour exhaustion at 19:48]
The conversation inevitably turned to the monumental shadow of his father, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. While many assumed Femi's departure from his father's band, Egypt ’80, was an act of youthful rebellion, the truth is much different and more profound. "The day I decided to leave, it was the biggest decision I took at that time," Kuti explained. "Everybody was scared for me. His fan base hated it. He was very angry."
The decision was about forging his own path, while admiring his father, instead of basically waiting in the wings for his father to die so he could take over his band. "I thought that idea as a child: 'Why am I wishing or hoping my father dies quickly so I can take over?' you know? So that seemed very horrible. These were very horrible thoughts. I didn't want my father to die. I loved him too much."
It was not long before the two patched things up, but the occasional criticism from his father could still get under Femi's skin.
[Kuti describes sitting with his father arguing over music at 40:02]
Femi Kuti discusses a wide range of topics, including his own approach to fatherhood, accepting a Grammy on his father's behalf, and his extraordinarily talented son. This full episode of Dam Yankee can be seen on YouTube, or listen to the Dam Yankee on all major podcast platforms.
Feemi Kuti and The Positive Force are on tour this month, with new dates being added. His work is shared on Spotify and YouTube, along with frequent posts on Instagram, Facebook, and Linktree.