Afrobeats icon, Femi Kuti, is celebrating the 24th posthumous birthday of his father, the legendary Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti.
Born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti on 15 October 1938, the late Afrobeats pioneer was a renowned multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist.
Fondly called Abami Eda, Fela is known across the world as one of Africa’s most “challenging and charismatic music performers”.
America’s online music database company, AllMusic, described him as a “musical and sociopolitical voice” of international significance.
The legendary musician has been an inspiration for musicians of this age including the Grammy Award-winning arts, Burna Boy, Wizkid, indigenous star Brymo, and a host of famed Nigerian stars.
Fela passed away on August 2, 1997, at the age of 58 (about two months to his 59th birthday) and would be celebrating his 83rd birthday if he were to be alive today.
Abami Eda who had been an AIDS denialist died from complications related to AIDS, according to his brother Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, a prominent AIDS activist and former Minister of Health, who announced Fela’s death on August 3.
He is remembered as an influential icon who voiced his opinions on matters that affected the nation through his music.
In honour of his father’s memory, Femi shared a throwback photo of Fela with his 150 thousand Instagram followers on Friday.
“HPBD to our father FELA. Wow 24 years gone and we still miss you so much. We love you.” he captioned the post.
