Nigeria Traditional Music: Femi Kuti continues to compose, follows late father's footsteps

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Fifteen years after his first visit to Kenya, Nigerian musician Femi Kuti, has played an energetic set to an enthusiastic audience in Nairobi. The musician, son of the legendary Fela Kuti, practices for at least six hours a day, and continues to re-invent his sound. But the messages rebuking problems in society still remain. Here's CGTN's Wilkister Nyabwa with that story.

A burst of color announced the arrival of Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti on the Koroga Festival Stage - the headlining act of the two-day music festival held periodically in Nairobi.

This festival, with a mix of younger musicians they knew, would be Femi's introduction to those who are unfamiliar with his music.

WILKISTER NYABWA NAIROBI "A four-time Grammy award music nominee and a best-selling musician, Femi Kuti's name is synonymous with a long history of musical excellence. And with such concerts, he is hoping to introduce himself to a new generation of music."

Born 57 years ago, Femi Kuti is the son of the late Nigerian music superstar Fela Kuti. Femi grew up learning from the legend. But in 1987, he left to start his own band. Femi didn't want to live in his father's massive shadow.

FEMI KUTI MUSICIAN "I left my father because what I saw as a young boy was imagine if my father passed on while I was still in his band. Then I'd have to dress like him, I'd have to dance like him, I'd have to be him. What I've achieved is over 130 songs of my own, many of them international hits, I've got so many nominations for international awards but this is because I left."

In the typical Afrobeat tradition, Femi combines African genres like highlife along with jazz. He has also reinvented the sound with the infusion of hip-hop. But the songs still retain his father's core lyrical message, speaking up against societal ills.

And as the ever-energetic musician travels the world playing his music, so Fela is introducing the next generation of musicians. In recent events, his son has joined him on stage.

FEMI KUTI MUSICIAN "You always have to do something to inspire the next generation. I want to see my son become greater than I am. I want him to produce music that I will sit back and say wow."

Through his son the tradition of music continues, a blend of talent and boldness and sincerity and carefully-honed skills that never get old. WILKISTER NYABWA, CGTN.