The son of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Seun Kuti, has opened up about a lesser-known aspect of his late father’s life, particularly regarding his liberal approach to his many wives. During a recent live session on Instagram, the singer challenged the long-held narrative surrounding his father’s health and the circumstances that led to his passing, suggesting that Fela was more of a victim than many realize.
According to Seun, one of the biggest misconceptions is that his father was responsible for passing the HIV virus to the women in his life. He argued that Fela’s ideology on freedom was actually what left him vulnerable. Seun revealed that his father did not believe in restricting his wives, operating on the principle that if he was free to be with other women, they should also have the liberty to see other men. The only rule Fela reportedly insisted on was that these outside partners were not brought into his home.
Reflecting on what he considers his father’s most significant mistakes, Seun noted that this lack of traditional boundaries eventually had fatal consequences. He explained that because Fela rarely left his own house to seek companionship elsewhere, it was actually some of the women who contracted the virus from outside relationships and unknowingly brought it back into the household. In Seun’s view, if Fela had been a more traditional or restrictive man, he might still be alive today.
The conversation sparked when Seun came across a video online questioning Fela’s legacy due to his illness. While acknowledging that his father was far from perfect and made his fair share of errors, Seun maintained that Fela’s intentions were always rooted in a deep sense of humanity and personal freedom. The singer believes it is important for the public to understand the full context of his father’s life, even the parts that highlight his vulnerability and the high price he paid for his unconventional beliefs.
