Yeni Kuti, the daughter of the legendary African musician and pioneer of Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has stated in an interview that her father was not a good father. The interview was conducted with media personality, Chude Jideonwo.
However, Yeni Kuti affirmed that Fela was still an icon and a role model, despite his shortcomings as a parent.
When asked if she had ever confronted her father about his lack of parenting skills, Yeni responded that she had not, but noted that Fela and his first son Femi were always at loggerheads.
Yeni went on to state:
“He [Fela] was not quite a good father. No [I never told him that he isn’t a good father]. Maybe Femi, not me. Femi and Fela used to have battles. And Femi will give it to him straight.
“Shola and I, we were like timid. You know, they said, ‘When two elephants are fighting, the grass will keep quiet.
“I can remember one day, Fela just came and said, ‘three of you are useless children’. Femi just said, ‘for what?’ Femi just started facing him and then they started facing each other. Shola and I will say, ‘it’s okay’. Fela will say, ‘No’. And Femi just said, ‘let him go’.
“I don’t think I have ever had that kind of confrontation with my father. Maybe because I was a woman.”
Despite his failings as a father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was a revolutionary artist who used his music to promote social justice and challenge Nigeria’s corrupt political class, particularly during the military era.
Fela was known for his fierce criticism of Nigeria’s government and for standing up for ordinary Nigerians who were caught in the crosshairs of systemic oppression. His influence on Nigerian music, culture, and politics cannot be overstated.
