Yeni Kuti Reveals Fela Was Admitted Into Music School Out of Pity

Yeni Kuti, daughter of the late Afrobeats pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has opened up about her father’s academic journey, revealing that he was admitted into music school in London out of pity. According to her, Fela’s entry into Trinity College of Music in 1958 wasn’t due to academic excellence but a mix of family trickery and sympathy from the school.

Speaking on a recent episode of Your View on TVC, Yeni shared a lesser-known side of the music icon’s life. She said Fela struggled academically compared to his siblings, and their parents had doubts about sending him abroad for studies. His older siblings, however, convinced their parents by lying that Fela had gained admission to study medicine in the UK.

Why was Fela admitted into Trinity College of Music?
Yeni explained that when Fela arrived in London, his poor academic qualifications almost led to a rejection by the music school. But the admission officer decided to admit him purely out of pity, acknowledging that Fela had travelled far for his education.

At the time, Fela was already showing signs of musical talent, especially on the piano. His siblings saw this and chose to guide him toward a musical path rather than the medical career their parents hoped for.

Yeni said, “The admission officer told him, ‘It’s only because you’ve come a long distance that I’m going to allow you into this school with these results.’ That was how Fela got into music school out of pity.”

Now hailed as a global music legend, Fela Kuti’s story shows that passion and perseverance can turn even the most unlikely beginnings into greatness. Today, his influence lives on, not just in Nigeria but around the world, proving that academic results don’t always predict a person’s future impact.

Fela’s legacy continues to inspire countless artists, and this revelation adds another powerful layer to his remarkable journey.