The late Remilekun Anikulapo-Kuti, ex-wife of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, has posthumously shared her extraordinary life story in a memoir titled Mrs. Kuti. This deeply personal account takes readers on a journey through her turbulent yet transformative years with one of the most influential figures in African music history. Although Remilekun passed away on January 12, 2002, the memoir published recently by Ouida Books, with support from Remi’s children Yeni and Femi Kuti.

Born in London on July 12, 1941, Remilekun’s early life was marked by time spent in an orphanage in England before returning to Nigeria for her education. It was during a fateful trip to London that she met the charismatic Fela Ransome-Kuti at a party—a meeting that would change both of their lives forever. Their love story, which began in the early 1960s, would evolve through the highs and lows of fame, the challenges of cultural adjustment, and the complexities of marriage and parenthood.

Mrs. Kuti takes readers through Remilekun’s personal experiences with Fela, her reflections on their marriage, and the struggles they both faced as their lives intertwined with the rising tide of Fela’s political activism and musical success. From navigating culture shock as a new bride in Nigeria to raising three children together, Remilekun’s narrative provides an intimate look at the controversial figure. This memoir joins the global obsession with Fela Kuti, encouraged by his own myth-making and self-promotion, that has spawned many books, films, and an eponymous festival Felabration.

Fela Kuti, one of the most innovative musicians of the 20th century, was not just known for his groundbreaking fusion of jazz, funk, and traditional African rhythms, but also for his outspoken political views. His lifelong activism made him a symbol of resistance against corruption, inequality, and oppression in Nigeria. At the same time, Fela’s views on women grew increasingly misogynistic. His beliefs about female subordination were reflected in his public statements and autobiography, a position at odds with his otherwise progressive political activism. Remilekun’s memoir, written with an unflinching honesty, reflects on the tumultuous relationship alongside the larger societal issues that shaped their lives—from music and marriage to politics and justice.

Mrs. Kuti is a testament to Remi’s remarkable life and her perspective on an era that profoundly shaped both Nigeria and the world of music. This memoir is a rare and poignant glimpse into the personal and political forces that shaped one of Africa’s most famous couples.

Get a copy of Mrs. Kuti here!