Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has opened up about the immense personal strain his father, the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti, experienced due to his numerous wives and concubines.
Speaking on the ‘Bahd & Boujee’ podcast, Seun disclosed that the weight of managing such a vast and complex household contributed significantly to Fela’s stress levels.
Seun Kuti detailed that while Fela’s marriage to 27 wives on the same day is widely known, fewer people are aware of the additional 100 concubines who also resided at his Kalakuta Republic commune.
This revelation sheds light on the extraordinary personal life of the Afrobeat pioneer, who was known for both his musical genius and his defiance of societal norms.
“People only know of Fela’s 27 wives; they don’t know of his over 100 girlfriends that lived with us in the house,” Seun explained.
“The wives and girlfriends almost killed Fela with stress.”
PLATFORM TIMES reports that this glimpse into Fela’s domestic life highlights the intense pressures he faced beyond his public persona and musical career.
Fela Kuti, renowned for creating the Afrobeat genre and for his fierce political activism, led a life filled with both innovation and controversy.
The Kalakuta Republic, which he declared independent from Nigeria, served as a home for his extended family, band members, and a large number of followers.
It was a centre for artistic and political activity but also a place where the pressures of his unconventional lifestyle took their toll.
In 1978, in a highly publicized event, Fela married 27 women in a single ceremony, many of whom were his dancers and members of his band, Africa ’70.
It was gathered that this act was part of his broader rebellion against the societal and cultural constraints of the time.
Fela’s life and career were marked by a relentless pursuit of artistic freedom and social justice, but these achievements came with significant personal sacrifices.
The stresses associated with his large household and the constant demands of managing such a community played a substantial role in his life.
Fela Kuti passed away on August 2, 1997, at the age of 58, from complications related to AIDS.
His death marked the end of a monumental era in the Afrobeat movement, but his influence endures, continuing to inspire musicians and activists worldwide.
Seun Kuti, following in his father’s footsteps, remains a prominent figure in Afrobeat music, carrying forward the legacy of both the genre and the powerful messages it conveys
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