Sean Kuti fines band for false notes

mawazine seun kuti credit: Mawazine Festival (Morocco)

Like father like son. Sean Kuti, the Nigerian performer and son of the legendary Afro Beat pioneer Fela Kuti, admits to fining his band for each false note played in concert.

Speaking yesterday before his performance at the Mawazine Festival in Morocco,  the younger Kuti explained he was merely following the practice of his father who financially penalised his Egypt 80 band throughout his career.

However, the younger Kuti – who at the age of 14 inherited Egypt 80 after his father’s death in 1997 – admits his bark is worse than his bite.

“Yes, I fine them repeatedly but I always forget to collect the money,” he said.

“It is more to do with dedication to what the band are about, which is all about playing to the best of our ability all the time.”

Kuti and Egypt 80 will soon hit the studio with the hope of releasing a new album early next year.

“We have been playing the songs live and the audiences seem to enjoy it,” he said.

“Now it’s all about taking that energy and bringing it with us to the studio.”

Look out for our interview with Seun Kuti on Arts and Life soon. Stay tuned to Scene and Heard for all the action from the Mawazine Festival.