Seun Kuti Laments: Success Now 2% Talent, 5% Hard Work, 93% PR
Afrobeat firebrand Seun Kuti, has dropped a bombshell, declaring that true success in today’s entertainment jungle is just 2% talent, 5% hard work, and a whopping 93% public relations wizardry.
The son of music legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti made the revelation during a candid chat on the Dear Ife podcast, hosted by Ifedayo Agoro, where he dissected the cut-throat realities of modern fame.
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Seun, known for his unfiltered takes on society and music, revealed he never battled to carve his artistic identity, thanks to his father’s grooming. “My dad raised us to be too much of individuals for us not to find our voice or our feet in this world,” he boasted, insisting his path was clear from the start.
Pressed on whether he deploys PR tactics to amplify his sound, the singer admitted he’s only now mastering the game. “This new age is 2% talent, 5% hard work and 93% PR,” Seun fired, lamenting how visibility trumps raw ability in the digital era.
Dismissing suggestions that this shift is “sad,” the Afrobeat star urged adaptation. “It’s not sad. You just need to learn it. I like to learn, so I’m learning and getting better,” he quipped.
To hammer his point home, Seun dragged a popular celebrity restaurateur into the fray, without naming names or ever tasting the menu.
He argued the chef’s worldwide buzz stems more from slick branding than culinary magic, insisting anyone eyeing success in any field must conquer the PR battlefield.
Seun’s outburst has sparked mixed reactions online, with fans hailing his real talk while critics slam it as an excuse from a privileged “nepo-baby.”
Music analyst Tunde Bajowa told our reporter: “Seun’s half-right, PR is king now with social media, but talent and hustle still build legacies like Fela’s.
You can’t PR your way out of mediocrity. “Industry insider and PR guru, Adaora Nwosu, pushed back harder: “This is sour grapes from someone born with a silver microphone. Hard work and talent got Seun booked at global festivals; PR just polishes it.
His math doesn’t add up in a merit-driven world.”Yet supporters like rising singer Ayra Starr’s manager nodded along, tweeting: “Uncle Seun spilled facts. Na who sabi PR go chop for this industry.”
As Nigeria’s entertainment scene booms with TikTok stars and influencers, Seun Kuti’s wake-up call raises tough questions: Has PR truly hijacked talent, or is it just the new hustle?
