Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti has boldly declared himself as the only musician in Nigeria who actively discourages audience members from spraying currency bills during his performances.
In a video message shared via his Instagram account, Kuti shed light on a prevalent practice among artists, particularly in the fuji music genre, where performers encourage the audience to shower them with money as a sign of appreciation.
“I don’t even like to be sprayed. I’m the only artist that stops people from spraying me,” Kuti asserted, highlighting his unique stance on the matter. He noted that even his father, the iconic Fela Kuti, did not prohibit currency spraying but specified the denominations he preferred.
Kuti criticized the prevalent culture of artists soliciting currency sprays during their performances, suggesting that it undermines the integrity of the music industry. He singled out prominent names in the music scene, including Sunny Ade and KWAM 1, implying that their willingness to accept currency sprays perpetuates the practice.
According to Kuti, the normalization of currency spraying stems from the influence of politicians, who have promoted it as a standard behavior. His outspoken opposition to this culture reflects his commitment to upholding artistic integrity and challenging societal norms.