“Why Fela married 27 women in one day”– Seun Kuti

Seun Kuti, an Afrobeat artist, has discussed the reason behind his father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, marrying 27 women in a single day. This unconventional act took place in 1978 and was considered quite bold at the time.

Fela, the legendary figure who is credited with creating Afrobeats, made the decision to marry 27 women in one day. Seun Kuti has shed light on the reasoning behind this momentous event.

He said:

“My father was under immense media propaganda. He was very scrutinised. And most of it were directed to the women that were in his life; his female back-up singers, dancers. They all lived together with my dad but the media started calling them prostitutes.

“So my dad, in order to preserve their honour and dignity, asked them if they would choose to be his brides so nobody would call them names anymore and they all agreed. That was how the marriage happened.”