Afrobeat maestro, Femi Kuti’s 60th birthday may have come earlier than expected as the musician has been surprised with an expensive saxophone gift.
A Selmer Paris Supreme 2022 valued at over €8000 was presented to him on stage during the maiden edition of “Father & Son: The Experience” concert which held on Sunday at the Afrikan Shrine, in Ikeja Lagos.
The costly woodwind instrument was acquired by the family of the legendary saxophonist and musician led by his elder sister, Yeni Kuti; his son, Made; and a committee of family and friends.
Speaking on the motive behind the surprise gift, Yeni said it was necessary for the family to celebrate hardworking Femi who “as bread winner always put others before himself.”
Femi’s Afrobeat rising star son, Made, also corroborated his aunt’s submission saying he knew his father wanted the saxophone but was not ready to change his old saxophone despite the glitches it has been having in recent time.
The 26-year-old grandson of late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, added that he saw the saxophone in company with his father during one of their tours and could tell that he wanted it but would rather put his responsibilities before his wants or needs.
Responding, a visibly elated Femi Kuti said, “This as far as I am concerned is the award of the people, it’s bigger than Grammy. I can’t ask for more.”
TCN had reported that Femi and Made teamed up for their first joint show on Sunday June 5, 2022 at the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos.
Packaged by Made’s mother’s Events company, FK Management, the show came weeks after Femi and Made’s outing at this year’s edition of the Grammy Awards where they were nominated in the Best Global Music category for their joint album, Legacy+.
Sunday’s show was a crowd-puller, reminiscent of four years ago at the same venue when Lagos State played host to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Playing with his own band and set of dancers, Made’s performance showed how much he has grown musically, as a multi-instrumentalist, singer and performer with his own style. He held the audience near spell-bound with performances of many of his songs from the Legacy+ album as well as his rendition of Fela’s ‘Palaver’ and Femi’s Scatter Your Head.
Femi ended the show on a grand note with a few songs from his popular albums. Sorry Sorry, Wonder and Beng Beng Beng threw the house into frenzy by the ever energetic musician who will clock 60 on June 16.