In an interview with Saturday Beats, the dancer and cultural advocate reflected on how growing up under Fela’s influence helped her understand the value of authenticity, discipline, and hard work.
“My father’s legacy for me as an African woman is to be proud and to be African. It made me learn how to own my culture,” Yeni said. “I am very proud of my father. I also think his legacy is a testimonial to hard work. For the young people coming up, I’ll say, know your craft and put in the work.”
Yeni, who is also the founder of the annual Felabration Festival, spoke on the global evolution of Afrobeats, acknowledging its roots in her father’s original Afrobeat sound while noting how the new generation has created a broader musical identity.
“Afrobeats has taken pieces of Afrobeat and built on it. It’s just inspirational music for them,” she said.
She also highlighted the long-standing cultural connection between Fela’s music and France, recalling how the country’s art institutions have continuously supported his legacy.
“Fela started his early tours in France, so they have always supported him. The French Ministry of Culture and Tourism has always supported Fela and his work, so I’m not surprised that they still celebrate him today.”
When asked what her father’s legacy means to her personally, Yeni said Fela would be pleased to see how his music continues to influence both Nigerian and international audiences.
“He would be very happy to see how far things have come. I don’t know exactly what I took after him, but I am proud to be a Kuti.”
She described Fela’s music as a timeless instrument of political expression, noting that his fearless stance against injustice still resonates across generations.
“Fela used his music as a tool for political resistance. He sang about the wrongs in our society and used his art to challenge injustice,” she said.
Looking ahead, Yeni expressed optimism that younger Nigerian artists will eventually embrace more socially conscious themes as they grow and mature artistically.
“The younger ones would pick it up as they go. Right now, they are still singing about love and sex, which is understandable because they are young,” she added.
Through her words and work, Yeni continues to uphold her father’s enduring message — one that celebrates African identity, freedom, and the power of music as a force for change.