Femi Kuti, who in May 2017 broke the world of a single note held on a sax in a method called Circular breathing, was on Sunday September 24, 2017 conferred the Legend Meets Legend award for his courage, consistency and authenticity by foremost Stout brand, Legend Extra Stout.
The 55 year-old Afro beat musician is the eldest son of his father, Afrobeat legend and pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. He took on the mantle of his father, continuing to win accolades across the world for songs against poor governance, corruption and repression in Africa.
“It’s always a great thing to win awards like this as they are just not for the music but for the choices I have made to make me the man I am today, “ Femi said with excitement.
“I believe everyone is capable of being a legend and I challenge us all to, in every step of our lives, make the right decision. You never know who you are inspiring to be better,” he said.
Femi’s musical career started when he bagan playing the saxophone and keyboard with his fathers’ band at age 16. He dropped out o school because according to him his father didn’t want him to study music because I was more of an experimental guinea pig to prove a point that you do not need education to be successful.
“He wanted to use me to prove to his brothers that the education he got was not what made him, so I was like a guinea pig which I vehemently protested against but when I became successful and I complained again, my father said ‘are you famous? Are you not successful? Oya shut up.’
Emmanuel Agu Portfolio Manager-Mainstream, Lager and Stout brands Nigerian Breweries, speaking on why the brand chose to confer the award on Femi Kuti said, “Femi Kuti is well known to be a man of courage hence the award conferred on him tonight. He is a man that inspires other men to break the cycle and be real men.”
“It was great to honor him for his uniqueness and the courage he shows through his music. We can’t wait to celebrate him at the Real Deal Experience in Lagos and celebrate, alongside with him, his father, at Felabration later in October.”
Femi Kuti has been nominated for a Grammy award four times in the world music category in 2003, 2010, 2012 and 2013. Though born in London, he grew up in Lagos and joined his father’s band, ‘Egypt 80’, as a teenager. He later started his own band ‘Positive Force’ in 1986, and began establishing himself as an artist independent of his father’s massive legacy.
Like his father, Femi’s songs concentrate on social and political issues. His international career began in 1988 when he was invited by the French Cultural Centre in Lagos and Christain Mousset to perform at the Festival d’Angouleme (france), the New Morning Club in Paris and the Moers Festival in Germany.
In 2001, Femi collaborated with a number of US musicians, including Common, Mos Def and Jaguar Wright on his album, Fight to win.
Legend Extra Stout will also be on ground at the week-long musical festival, Felabration. Legend’s support for the festival is aimed at reinforcing the brand’s ideal and quality, while connecting with consumers who will experience the unique bitter tasting stout in the midst of the festival.
Mabel Dimma
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