By ISAAC DANIEL
History was made recently in Lagos, Nigeria when the long anticipated autobiography of late Madam Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti, the wife of Fela, the Afrobeat legendary king was unveiled.
It was launched by the family of afrobeat family of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, approved and led by her Remilekun’s two surviving children, ace Afrobeat dance queen, Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti and her younger brother, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, Afrobeat music most Grammy Awards nominated artiste till date.
The authoritative biography of their mother, Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti titled: “Mrs Kuti” (a memoir), is a compelling history of Afrobeat music, Fela’s untold musical odessey and the crucial sacrifices she made in her marriage to see the Afrobeat music becomes a global phenomenon it is today.
No doubt, the book is a long-awaited unadulterated account of the late first wife of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who didn’t only saw the genesis of Afrobeat music, but experienced this good, the bad and the ugly aspect of it all. Remilekun’s book is an answer to all the questions many people have asked in the past about her and her marriage to the maverick Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Although, in her very silent nature she has kept quiet, but has answered all in this book, best describes as a collector’s item.
The book was published by the renowned globally multiple awards winning Nigerian book publishing firm, Ouida books. It’s based in Lagos, Nigeria. The publishing company is under the management of prolific award winning author, arts and culture ambassador, Lola Shoneyin. She is also the golden head behind the annual globally ranking Ake Festival. Remilekun’s children complied their mother’s long time written memoirs by her children and submitted to Lola Shoneyin who fell in love with it and decided to publish it.
The “troublesome” duo of Yeni and Femi Anikulapo-Kuti disclosed at the event that their aim of publishing the book was to immortalize their mother, whom they described as the unseen and unknown”pillar of their family”, whose remarkable silent contributions aided tremendously to the unprecedented global musical exploits of their father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
The well-attended event, held at Ouida books house, Ikeja, Lagos, was graced by celebrities led by Yeni and Femi Anikulapo-Kuti; Dr Olaokun Soyinka; Nollywood actress Carol King, Made Anikulapo-Kuti; Barrister Srandra Oyewole, Shola Shoneyin, CEO of Ouida books and the chief host of the occasion; the Anikulapo-Kuti family members, friends, well-wishers, fans, in-laws and associates.
The very colorful and highly entertaining event featured excellent music performances, arts poetic, literally and cultural expressions and historic musical documentary impacts and discussions. An amazing performance. The fast rising Afrobeat artiste, and grandson of the book author, Made Anikulapo-Kuti, opened the event with his superlative performance and excellence on the saxophone. His fantastic outing justified his global status as the younger Afropop Grammy Awards nominee in the Anikulapo-Kuti family.
Subsequently, a minute silence was observed in honour of Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti. A video tribute message titled “letter to RA-K” by the author’s only surviving younger sister, Aunty Sonia took over. Later, more tributes poured in from her Sandra Oyewole and grand daughter, Sandra Jacka.
Her grand children shared a documentary tribute of fun memories and impact with their grandma. Afterwards, a very classical tribute poetry was presented by her grand daughter Damilade Anikulapo-Kuti, it was excitedly received. Actor Carol King, came and did justice to the professional book reading session from the book “ Mrs Kuti”.
The book “Mrs Kuti”, is a comprehensive historic documentation of Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti’s life from childhood before she met Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the Nigerian music legend.
Remilekun said, in the book,”this is an account of my life from the day I was before I met Fela, and after he entered it like a comet in 1959.”
“Without regret or rancour, Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti invites us into her extraordinary life as a love interest, the wife and the estranged partner of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the Afrobeat legend.
Her writing takes us from years in a home for orphaned children in the English Midlands, to London where she met the dashing Fela at a party, to moving to Nigeria where Remilekun navigates culture shock, the complexities of love, loss, and the joys of motherhood. With unabating honesty, Remilekun shares her journey, her thoughts on marriage, justice, music and Nigerian society from the 60s to the 90s”, Lola Shoneyin added.
“I think of him and will, as long as I live—my love is the forever kind.”, Remilekun declared in the book about her love life with Fela.
Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti was born 12 July 1941 in London. Her early education took place in Lagos, Nigeria. Upon moving to London, she spent time at Princess Alice School and Home in Sutton Coldfield, England. On 7 January 1961, Remi married the emerging musician Olufela Ransome-Kuti who would become the celebrated Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. They had three children: Yeni, Femi and Sola (1963 – 1997). Her memoir, Mrs Kuti explores the turbulent years of her life with Fela, documenting both personal and shared struggles as they journeyed through fame. Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti passed away on 12 January 2002 in Lagos, Nigeria. This is her first and only book before her transition to glory.
