Yeni Kuti's Candid Reflections on Fela's Parenting Resurface Amid Online Feud
A resurfaced interview clip featuring Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has sparked intense discussions across Nigerian social media platforms. The video, originally recorded in 2023 for the With Chude show hosted by Chude Jideonwo, has gained renewed attention during the ongoing online feud between Seun Kuti and popular musician Wizkid.
Yeni Kuti's Blunt Assessment of Her Father's Parenting
In the revealing interview, Yeni Kuti offered a nuanced yet firm critique of her late father's approach to parenting. While acknowledging Fela's profound influence on her identity as an African woman, she did not hesitate to address his shortcomings in the conventional father role. "In his own way, yes. But in the conventional sense, no," Yeni responded when asked if Fela was a good father.
She elaborated further with striking honesty: "I don't even think he should have had children. I think he should have just been a father to the whole nation. A national father." This statement highlights the tension between Fela's public persona as a cultural icon and his private role within his family.
The Reality of Growing Up as Fela's Child
Yeni described a childhood experience that many might find surprising given her father's celebrity status. According to her account, being Fela's child did not come with special privileges or preferential treatment. "You didn't feel any special bond that you were Fela's child. He was going to favour you because you were his child. You were just another human being as far as he was concerned," she explained.
This lack of conventional parental attachment created significant emotional challenges within the family. Yeni admitted that this reality caused resentment and led to family rifts over time. She specifically recalled tense moments between her brother Femi Kuti and their father, acknowledging that these conflicts were painful for everyone involved.
Social Media Reactions to the Resurfaced Clip
The renewed attention to Yeni's interview has generated diverse reactions from Nigerian netizens:
- @Kontrolla19 questioned: "Where all these abandoned fela children Dey spawn out from seff? Na only femi Kuti & made Kuti be beta kids.."
- @Believer0231 offered perspective: "Fela wasn't perfect, he was brave. History remembers courage more than comfort."
- @Sailboatnjh expressed concern: "In the space of just few weeks this year, Fela don too collect. Seun just Dey paste Baba name put for whala anyhow."
- @yeneluv provided nuance: "She said 'in his own way'. That doesn't mean he was a bad father like you people are trying to paint it now."
Broader Context and Family Revelations
This interview clip resurfacing coincides with other family revelations that have emerged in recent years. Yeni Kuti previously shared surprising details about her mother's life after divorcing Fela. According to Yeni, her mother Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti remained celibate for over two decades following their separation in 1981 until her death in 2002.
The timing of this clip's resurgence during the Seun Kuti-Wizkid feud has added another layer to ongoing conversations about Fela's complex legacy. It highlights how the Afrobeat pioneer's towering cultural influence often came at the expense of his familial responsibilities, creating a complicated inheritance for his children who must navigate both his monumental public legacy and their personal family experiences.
Yeni Kuti's candid reflections provide a rare glimpse into the private realities behind one of Nigeria's most iconic public figures, reminding audiences that cultural heroes often have complex human dimensions that extend beyond their public personas.
