Seun Kuti has offered a fascinating glimpse into his father’s unwavering cultural identity and its profound impact on those around him, particularly white women who entered the legendary musician’s orbit. During a recent Instagram live session, the son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti shared how his childhood home regularly hosted women from diverse backgrounds, including several white women who lived alongside their Nigerian counterparts.
“My father had white women in his house. When I grew up, there were like two white women at least living with us,” Seun recalled. “He always had white ones with the black ones.”
What struck Seun most was how his father never compromised his identity or appearance to accommodate Western expectations. Instead, Fela’s powerful cultural presence transformed those who entered his world.
“Instead of Fela to wear a suit and tie so that the white women would see him as fine, the women were the ones who started wearing shrine regalia and African hairstyles,” Seun explained.
This cultural influence reflected Fela’s unshakable sense of self and his commitment to African identity.
“Fela never changed because of them but they changed because of him because Fela already knew who he was and his love for Africa,” Seun emphasized.
