“My dad, Fela was an icon but not a good father” – Yeni Kuti

Media personality, Yeni Kuti the daughter of Afrobeats pioneer and legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has said the late singer was not a good father.

Yemi Kuti stated this in an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, but added that Fela was an icon and a role model.

She revealed that while Fela and his first son, Femi Kuti, were always at odds, she never addressed him about not being a good father.

Also citing instances where Fela goofed, She said;

“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 am a woman.”