Seun Kuti: I’ve been blacklisted in the Nigerian music industry for 13 years

Seun Kuti has claimed that he has been blacklisted in the Nigerian music industry for about 13 years due to his style of music.

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Speaking on a recent episode of the Selah Meditate podcast, the 43-year-old son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti also argued that government interference has significantly affected the quality and impact of modern Nigerian music.

According to Seun, because his father and his contemporaries used music as a form of protest against bad governance, the government began promoting less conscious artistes while sidelining those who address societal realities.

“The impact of Fela and his contemporaries who spoke truth to power scared the government,” he said.

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“They made the government realised the power of artistry. So, the government invested more in artistes who don’t make conscious music than artistes who sing about realities.”

He further explained that, fortunately, the alleged industry blacklist has not hurt his musical success.

“When I am in Nigeria, I don’t fear to say whatever I want to say. That is a lot of people are saying that I should be cancelled,” he said.

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“I have been cancelled for about 13 years now after I performed conscious music at former Lagos State Governor Ambode’s event. Even before then, my music was heavily restricted.

“I have been cancelled for long. People think I am not cancelled because I am doing well. Nigeria has cancelled me long time but Nigeria is just like a really small percentage of my market. So, being cancelled doesn’t really affect me.”

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