Seun Kuti, the son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, has disclosed that his late father contracted HIV from one of his wives, contradicting claims that the iconic musician was responsible for infecting women. The younger Kuti made the revelation during a recent Instagram livestream, where he addressed online criticisms of his father’s legacy.
During the livestream, Seun Kuti responded to a video of a woman questioning why people continue to praise Fela despite allegations that he infected women with HIV. He explained that Fela’s unconventional lifestyle, which included allowing his wives freedom to have relationships with other men, ultimately led to his contraction of the virus. Seun described this level of openness as one of his father’s major mistakes.
“If Fela had adhered to traditional norms, he might still be alive,” Seun Kuti said. “Fela allowed his wives freedom in their relationships as he exercised his own freedom, but he expected they not bring other men into his home.”
The younger Kuti emphasized that his father was not perfect but remained a man who stood on the side of humanity. He urged critics to recognise that mistakes are an inherent part of being human. “Nobody is perfect. Everybody makes mistakes, but Fela was a man who stood on the side of humanity,” he concluded, defending his father’s legacy while acknowledging the personal consequences of his choices.
