Grammy-nominated Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, has stirred controversy after declaring that Nigeria makes up only a “small percentage” of his fanbase, insisting that being allegedly blacklisted in the country has had little impact on his career.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Saleh Meditate podcast, the outspoken musician revealed that he has been sidelined in the Nigerian music industry for over 13 years due to his style of politically conscious music.
According to Seun, his troubles began after he performed at an event hosted by former Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, where his message-driven music reportedly drew backlash. He claimed that even before then, his songs faced heavy restrictions locally.
The Afrobeat star argued that many artists fear being blacklisted only because Nigeria represents the bulk of their audience, a situation he says does not apply to him.
Seun also drew comparisons to his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, noting that earlier generations of musicians used their platform to challenge authority and expose societal issues.
He alleged that the government, wary of the influence of such activism, shifted support toward entertainers who avoid politically sensitive themes, leaving conscious artists marginalized.
“The impact of Fela and his contemporaries scared the government. They realised the power of music and started investing in artists who don’t address real issues,” he said.
Despite the alleged blacklist, Seun maintained that he remains vocal and unapologetic whenever he is in Nigeria, stressing that his global reach has shielded him from any real consequences.
“I’ve been cancelled for a long time. People think I’m not because I’m doing well, but Nigeria is just a really small percentage of my market,” he added.
His remarks have since sparked debate online, with fans and critics divided over his stance on the Nigerian music industry and its global relevance.
