EXPLORING INTIMACY AND RESILIENCE: FELA KUTI’S CHILDREN LAUNCH MEMOIR HONORING LATE MOTHER, REMILEKUN

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s children, Femi and Yeni Kuti, have unveiled a deeply personal memoir celebrating the life of their late mother, Remilekun. Titled Mrs. Kuti, the book delves into her intimate experiences, her love story with Fela, and her resilience amidst the challenges of fame and societal expectations.

The memoir, written by Remilekun herself decades ago but unpublished until now, explores themes of intimacy, struggle, and cultural identity. Yeni, Fela’s eldest child, shared the announcement with a video featuring Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka holding the book. She expressed gratitude and reflected on her mother’s legacy, stating, “Femi and I have finally published our mum’s book, thanks to @ouidabooks. It has taken us all these years. She passed on 23 years ago at the young age of 60.”

The book recounts Remilekun’s early years in London, her marriage to the charismatic Fela in 1961, and her journey navigating culture shock, motherhood, and societal pressures in Nigeria. Born on July 12, 1941, she spent her childhood in Lagos before pursuing her education in England. Her love story with Fela began at a party in 1959, leading to a marriage that bore three children: Yeni, Femi, and the late Sola Kuti.

Remilekun passed away on January 12, 2002, at the age of 60. Mrs. Kuti, her first and only published work, offers readers a poignant look into her life, resilience, and reflections on love, justice, and society. Now available for preorder, the memoir promises to illuminate the intimate and enduring legacy of a remarkable woman.