90th Birthday: Yeni Kuti Reveals What Baba Bush Alebiosu Means To Fela’s Family

Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti has opened up on the enduring kindness of Busura Alebiosu – the elder statesman famously called Baba Bush -, recalling how he supported her family during a difficult period when her father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was away in the United States.

Speaking in an interview for an upcoming documentary to celebrate Pa Alebiosu’s 90th birthday on April 24, 2026, Yeni described him as “a kind person” who stood by the family at a time of need.

“I was close to him as a child. The truth of the matter is, my father was in America. He was away for 10 months, and my mother didn’t have money to feed us, pay school fees, and so on,” she said.

According to the eldest child of the iconic musician, Baba Bush made it a duty to check in on the family regularly, ensuring their welfare while her father was abroad.

“He came to the house regularly to check on my mum. He would take my mum to NITEL to speak with my father through the telephone, look after us, and make sure we were not hungry,” the singer and dancer popularly known as YK disclosed.

Reflecting on those years, YK added: “What really comes to my mind is a man who looked after his friend’s children when the friend was not around. In general, he is a kind person.”

Checks revealed that the bond between Fela and Alebiosu was deep-rooted, having been formed while both men were abroad and sustained until the death of the Afrobeat legend.

“He must have valued his friendship with Fela to even look after us. Fela didn’t give him money or anything like that; he just did it out of the kindness of his heart,” the pioneer of Felaboration, a music festival celebrating the life and contributions of her late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti said.

She recalled that the household at the time included her mother, grandmother, and three children, adding that Pa Alebiosu’s consistent presence left a lasting impression on her.

“We were three children, my mother, and my grandmother, and he would come to the house regularly to make sure we were okay, feed us—those kinds of things. He must have been a kind man,” YK shared.

The granddaughter of defining women rights activist, Funmilayo Ransome – Kuti also noted that Baba Bush maintained his supportive role with the family over the years, including reaching out to her brother when he faced challenges starting his music career.

“I also know that when my brother was going through tough times with his band, he reached out to Uncle Bush for help,” she revealed.

Although contact was lost over time, Yeni said a chance reconnection a few years ago brought back memories of her childhood.

“Though we lost contact, a few years ago—about three or four years ago—I met Semiu, his son-in-law, and he mentioned that Uncle Bush is his father-in-law. I was really excited about it, and I went to see him. I was very happy to reconnect with him. It was nostalgic for me seeing him; it brought back memories of my childhood,” YK recollected.

She explained that the reconnection was also driven by efforts to document her father’s life and legacy.

“Incidentally, I had reached out to Semiu because there is a documentary on my father, and he is someone who knows so much. So, I reached out to Semiu… and he said he would find out if he would do the interview,” the co-manager of the New Afrika Shrine alongside her brother, Femi Kuti further revealed.

Expressing hope of seeing Pa Alebiosu again soon, she noted the urgency of preserving such memories.

“I am hoping that I will see him again because the people doing the documentary will arrive… I would like to take them to see him because, at 90, the people you know are very few and far between,” TK pointed out and added “For example, my father has been dead for almost 30 years now. I do wish I had the presence of mind to visit him regularly.”

Looking back, she said she was only about eight years old at the time but still remembers his kindness vividly.

“The truth of the matter is, I was a child then. I think I was in primary school—around 1969 to 1970. I was about eight years old. But I remember him because he was so kind to us,” she reflected

As Pa Alebiosu marks his 90th birthday, Yeni expressed gratitude on behalf of her family, declaring “I would like to say, ‘Uncle Bush, ẹ ṣe gan, mo dupe on behalf of the family. Thank you so much. I love you, and I wish you many more years. Happy birthday—long life and prosperity.’”