Twenty-three years after her passing, Remilekun Kuti’s intimate account of life with Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has finally emerged through the efforts of her children, Femi and Yeni Kuti. The memoir, titled “Mrs Kuti,” chronicles her remarkable journey from London-born student to becoming the first wife of Nigeria’s most revolutionary musician.
Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has already received a copy of the book, which is now available for preorder through Ouida Books. According to Yeni Kuti, now 63, the publication fulfills a long-held family mission to share their mother’s story, written decades ago but never published during her lifetime.
The memoir offers a unique perspective on Nigeria’s cultural landscape from the 1960s to 1990s, detailing Remilekun’s experiences with culture shock, marriage, and motherhood. Born in London in 1941, she met Fela at a party in 1959, leading to their marriage in 1961 and the birth of their three children: Yeni, Femi, and Sola.
Beyond the personal narrative of her marriage to the Afrobeat pioneer, the book provides insights into the complexities of fame, societal challenges, and the author’s own resilience. Remilekun, who passed away in 2002 at age 60, leaves behind this published work as her enduring legacy, offering readers an intimate glimpse into her life with one of Africa’s most influential musicians.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.