Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has revealed that his late father, legendary musician Fela Kuti, contracted HIV from one of his wives. Speaking during a recent Instagram livestream, Seun Kuti dismissed claims suggesting that Fela transmitted the virus to his partners.
Seun Kuti explained that Fela, known for his unconventional lifestyle, did not restrict his wives from having relationships with other men.
He described this as one of his father’s major mistakes, highlighting the personal consequences of Fela’s openness. “I saw a video of a woman online questioning why people continue to praise Fela’s legacy despite claims that he infected women with HIV,” Kuti said. 
“If Fela had adhered to traditional norms, he might still be alive. 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.”
Kuti further emphasized that his father remained a figure aligned with human values, noting that mistakes were part of being human. “Nobody is perfect. Everybody makes mistakes, but Fela was a man who stood on the side of humanity,” he concluded.
