🎶 “From Pity to Power”: Yeni Kuti Shares Untold Story of Fela’s Admission to Trinity College
In a heartwarming and eye-opening revelation, Yeni Kuti, daughter of the late Afrobeats pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has shared how her father’s admission into Trinity College of Music, London in 1958 was granted out of pity, due to his weak academic performance.
Speaking during a recent episode of TVC's "Your View", Yeni said Fela wasn’t academically strong like his siblings and that his journey into music wasn’t the result of a perfectly planned career but rather a twist of fate—a lie, a long trip, and a lucky chance.
“The admission officer told him, ‘It’s only because you’ve come a long way that I’m allowing you in,’” Yeni recounted. “But look at him today—he is a global legend.”
🎵 Opinion: True Talent Doesn’t Always Shine on Paper
Fela's story is a living testimony that grades don’t define greatness. He may have entered Trinity College on shaky grounds, but he exited as a giant, pioneering a sound that would shake the world and birth a revolutionary genre—Afrobeats.
In a society that often equates brilliance with academic excellence, Fela’s story is a bold reminder that passion, authenticity, and resilience can rewrite the narrative.
🔥 It also speaks volumes about the power of second chances. That admission officer might not have known it then, but by opening that door, he helped unleash one of Africa’s most influential voices.
💬 What Can We Learn?
Parents: Encourage talent, not just traditional education.
Youth: Your beginnings don’t define your destiny.
Society: Let’s stop sidelining creative arts in education—it could birth the next Fela.
What do YOU think about Fela’s humble academic background?
Does his story inspire you to pursue your passion, no matter the odds?
