“I Was Never A Member of Fela’s Band” – Yeni Kuti
Yeni Kuti, daughter of legendary musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, reminisces about how unfairly she was regarded in the early days when she started dancing professionally. She stated this while expressing her joy at the heights dancers in Nigeria have attained in present times.
“I am very proud of where dancers have reached today. Back then, when you said you were a dancer, people looked down on you. But today, we have collectively worked to show that dancers deserve their place in society. I am really proud of where dancers are today,” she said according to Punch.
She also cleared the misconception that she used to dance for her father, Fela Kuti. “I was never a member of Fela’s band. I was a foundation member of Femi’s band. I still choreograph and train the dancers. One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt is that hard work pays,” she said.
Age has slowed down the vibrant dance mama but she still gives it on the dance floor whenever she can. At this point in her life, she admits that she “wouldn’t trade my age for anything. Age is accompanied by experience, knowledge and the joy of being alive.”
