This month, the newly established music channel for Africa, MTV Base, turns its attention to one of Africa’s biggest music stars, Femi Kuti. Viewers can look forward to an hour-long performance of this Grammy nominated singer.

Femi is the oldest son of the late Nigerian superstar, Fela Kuti. It is no wonder that he’s grown to adopt some of his father’s rhythmic sounds to create a winning formula in his music today. Femi was born in 1962 in London, where he spent most of his youth.

He returned to Nigeria at age 15. Femi traces his musical influence back to his teenage years when he spent hours listening to his father practising.

During that time, he accompanied his father’s band to many performances in their home country. While his father was still alive, Femi had trouble establishing himself as an artiste without being compared to his legendary father.

But with determination, he started his own band and made a name for himself in the music industry.