2009 Concert Dates in the U.S.A

The son of Afro-beat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Femi Kuti spent years playing in his father's band before eventually rising to superstardom following his father's death in the late '90s. Since few artists can match his father's legacy of not only music but influence, Femi's relation as his son is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it's never been difficult for Femi to garner press or attention, and MCA went out of its way to push his career with ridiculous amounts of publicity. Yet on the other hand, no matter his individual accomplishments, Femi will forever be known as Fela's son. Practicing a similar style of Afro-beat as his father, Femi helped introduce the percussive blend of jazz and funk music to the international masses beginning in the mid-'90s, along with his father's same sense of political activism. After his father's death in 1997, Femi suddenly found himself the subject of immense attention. He responded by signing with MCA and embarking on his solo career beginning with Shoki Shoki. He won tremendous critical celebration around the world and began making efforts to break into the U.S. mainstream in successive years.

Femi performs regularly in Lagos, and has toured extensively in Europe and the United States, including a 50-date European tour last fall and across-the-board critics' pick US club tours last September and this spring. Femi and The Positive Force will return to the US this summer for several festival dates. In September, 1999 Femi received top honors at the Kora All Africa Music Awards, including Best Male Artist in Africa and Best Song for his charged single "Beng Beng Beng," and at the globally-televised World Music Awards on May 10, 2000, Femi received the Best-Selling African Artist award and performed "Beng Beng Beng" to a captivated audience.

Femi Kuti's Day By Day was nominated for the 52nd Grammy Awards in the Contemporary World Music Album category

Femi Kuti In A Blaze Of Glory

Daily Independent, December 8, 2009.

Emeka Umejei , REPORTER, Lagos

That Femi Kuti has been able to carve a niche for himself in the entertainment industry cannot be overemphasized. He has over time proved himself an artiste of repute, who can hold his own beyond the African continent. As if to confirm Femi’s world-class rating, Grammy Award committee nominated him for the Best Contemporary World Music Album category, with his song titled, Day By Day on Thursday, December 4.

Femi, in manner described as a rare display of humility, admitted he did not expect Day By Day to be nominated for a Grammy, but added that he is excited with the development.

“In Bang! Bang! Bang!,” I was kind of expecting it. In ‘fight To Win,’ I was not surprised when I was nominated. But in this ‘Day By Day,’ I was caught unawares. I was really taken off guard,” Femi said with surprise etched on his face. “I am excited. I am very happy. I did not expect it at all. It was not even in my thought at all. I got a call from one of my dancers this morning saying that I was nominated for Grammy. I did not believe it; I thought it was a prank. It is nice to know that my work is being appreciated at that level.”

Those who have followed Femi’s career maintain that he is not new to awards of international standing. If any, he has become a pace setter in the Nigeria music industry, with many awards of international acclaim in his kitty.

Femi was first nominated for Grammy awards in 2003 with ‘Fight To Win’ and has remained a standard bearer for other Nigerian musical artistes in the country since that epochal entry on the world music scene. To confirm his artistic edge, in 1999, Femi became the first Nigerian to win KORA Awards, carting away two awards at the maiden edition of the Ernest Jovi-led award. Femi went on to repeat same feat in 2000, when he became the first home grown Nigerian music artiste to win World Music Award, held in Monaco France. Same year, he became UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador on AIDS, which led to the release of ‘Stop AIDS’ album.

But all the awards have not brought good tidings to Femi; Ernest Jovi, who received $7.5m from Lagos State Government and $2.5m from River State for a Nigerian edition of the award still owes Femi a whooping $20,000 being monetary rewards for his 1999 KORA awards.

Yet Bola Rosiji, former president of performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and founder of Guranga Foundation, said that he is not surprised at Femi’s professional fulfillment.

“I think it is not surprising because his father has demonstrated professionalism, which obviously he has inherited from him. Femi has gone a step further to evolve his own kind of music .When I listen to him, I see that he has become more mature and adventurous in his creativity,” Rosiji stated. He added; “When we talk about rebranding Nigeria, this is where it should start from; we cannot rebrand what we don’t have. Our artistes have demonstrated all over the world that music is a great rebranding tool for this country.”

Femi was born on June 16, 1962 in London to the late Afrobeat Maestro, Fela Anikulakpo-Kuti under whose tutelage he horned his musical skill. But Femi is not the type to be tied to his father’s apron string. He found the Positive Force Band in 1986 and has remained a major force in the Nigerian music industry.