“Do they expect me to be dancing while leaving?” -Kuti
By Kehinde Jacobs
Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti has addressed reports claiming he stormed out of content creator Peller’s wedding in anger, saying his early departure was due to a scheduled event at The Shrine and not a joke about his late father, Fela Kuti.
The clarification came two days after social media was flooded with posts alleging that Kuti walked out of the high-profile ceremony after an MC made a comment referencing Fela. The story spread quickly across blogs and fan pages, with many suggesting the singer was offended and left abruptly.
Speaking on the matter, Kuti said he left the venue around 8:30pm because he had another engagement.
“I left there around 8:30pm because I needed to go to the shrine. We had an event,” Kuti said.
“All the foolish bloggers said I left in anger. Do they expect me to be dancing while leaving? I had somewhere to go and I left. Please don’t mind them.”
Peller’s wedding has been one of the most talked-about events this month. The content creator, known for his massive following on TikTok and other platforms, hosted a ceremony that brought together celebrities, musicians, comedians and influencers. Because of the star power in attendance, every moment from the reception was filmed, posted, and dissected online within hours.
That visibility is likely why Kuti’s exit drew so much attention. Reports claimed an MC made a joke about Fela Kuti during the event, and suggested that Seun took offense.
Given Fela’s status as a legend in Nigerian music and activism, any mention of him at a public gathering tends to spark conversation, and in this case it fueled speculation that Seun would not let it slide.
But according to Kuti, there was no confrontation. He explained that The New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja had its own program that night, and he needed to be there. For the Kuti family, The Shrine is more than a venue. It is a cultural hub for Afrobeat performances, political discourse, and community gatherings, and events there often run on a tight schedule.
Kuti also pushed back on the way his departure was framed. He questioned the expectation that he should have made a show of leaving, and asked fans to disregard what he called misinformation from blogs chasing clicks.
The singer’s response has since been widely shared, with many of his supporters saying the story was exaggerated. Others noted that in today’s media climate, a celebrity leaving any event early can instantly become headline news, especially when a famous name like Fela is involved.
As at press time, neither Peller nor the MC has publicly commented on the alleged joke. The wedding continues to trend for its fashion, performances and guest list, while Kuti appears focused on returning to music and his responsibilities at The Shrine.
The episode highlights how fast narratives can form online. A brief exit, a familiar last name, and a viral post were enough to create a full storyline. Kuti’s direct response, however, has shifted the conversation back to facts, timing, and the reality of a busy performance schedule.
