Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti has said being blacklisted in Nigeria has little impact on his career because the country represents only a small portion of his global fanbase. The Grammy-nominated musician made the statement during a recent appearance on the Saleh Meditate podcast, where he reflected on his experience in the Nigerian music industry over the past decade.
Seun revealed that he has been effectively sidelined for about 13 years following a performance of conscious music at an event hosted by former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. He explained that his style of music, which often addresses social and political issues, has faced restriction since then, with the government allegedly favouring artists who avoid critical commentary.
According to him, many artists fear being cancelled in Nigeria because the country forms the bulk of their audience. For him, however, the situation is different. “Nigeria has cancelled me for a long time but Nigeria is just like a really small percentage of my market. So, being cancelled doesn’t really affect me,” he said.
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The singer also linked the trend to the legacy of his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, noting that the government once recognized the influence of protest music and deliberately invested more in non-political artists to dilute its impact. He argued that this approach has weakened the depth and social relevance of much of today’s Nigerian music.
Seun maintained that he remains unafraid to speak openly when in Nigeria, stressing that his commitment to using music as a tool for truth and accountability has not changed despite years of exclusion.
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