Seun Kuti Explains Why Fela Married 27 Women in One Day

Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has revealed why his late father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, married 27 women in one day.

Fela’s mass wedding in 1978 was a bold and controversial move. In a recent Skype interview on the ‘Fresh Off The Boat’ podcast, Seun explained that Fela married the women to protect their honor and dignity. The media had begun labeling his female dancers and band members, who lived with him, as “prostitutes.”

Seun said, “My father was under immense media scrutiny. Much of it was directed at the women in his life—his female backup singers and dancers who lived with him. The media started calling them prostitutes. To preserve their honor and dignity, my dad asked if they would choose to be his brides so nobody could call them names anymore, and they all agreed. That’s how the marriage happened.”

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Seun also mentioned that a biopic of Fela is in the works.