Celebrities
Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti Reflects On Fela’s Unconventional Fatherhood
In a riveting and emotional interview, Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, the eldest daughter of the iconic Afro-Beat singer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, shared candid insights into her family’s history and its profound impact on her life.
Speaking with Chude Jideonwo, Yeni opened up like never before, discussing her legendary father, her brother Femi, her younger brother Seun, her mother, and the painful revelations surrounding Fela’s passing.
The interview began with a poignant admission from Yeni, expressing that the conversation would be challenging for her. The weight of her experiences, including a non-conventional father, a resilient mother, and a legacy steeped in legend, shaped the fearless woman she has become.
Life’s lessons have empowered Yeni to chart her own course, disregarding societal expectations and judgment. In this powerful conversation, she imparts her wisdom and shares the reasons behind her unwavering resolve.
Yeni Kuti shed light on her father’s complex persona, stating that Fela wasn’t a conventional father in the commercial sense, asserting that he should have been a father figure to the entire nation instead. The children did not feel a special connection to their father, and Yeni described Fela as someone who saw them simply as fellow human beings. The absence of a traditional father-daughter bond left an indelible mark on Yeni and her siblings.
When questioned about Fela’s happiness in his final years, Yeni, though composed, revealed that her father was in pain. She shared her belief that an ailing individual cannot experience true happiness, further illuminating the complex emotions surrounding Fela’s life and death.
The discussion delved into the circumstances surrounding Fela’s passing, with Yeni expressing her support for her late father’s brother, Olikoye, who announced that Fela died from complications related to AIDS. Yeni believed that this announcement spared the media from engaging in relentless investigations into Fela’s cause of death. It was a difficult topic for Yeni to discuss, and she chose to steer clear of it to prevent breaking down in the studio.
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