Made Kuti Says Nigeria Never Valued Fela Kuti Enough

Made Kuti on Fela Kuti says Nigeria failed to value the Afrobeat pioneer during his lifetime and shares how the Kuti name once carried heavy stigma and backlash

Made Kuti on Fela Kuti has reignited public discourse around the recognition or lack thereof of Nigerian musical icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Also read: Fela Kuti Died Poor Due To Generosity Says Made Kuti

In a revealing conversation with media personality Taymesan, Made, the grandson of Fela and son of Femi Kuti, stated that Fela was underappreciated in Nigeria during his lifetime, despite his revolutionary impact on music and politics.

According to Made, the Kuti name was once a burden, especially for his father Femi, who faced rejection in social circles because of the negative perception surrounding Fela.

“I remember my dad telling us how he couldn’t even date girls. The fact that he was a Kuti was a major red flag,” Made shared.

He explained that a well-driven propaganda campaign at the time portrayed Fela as financially unsuccessful and socially unacceptable, making it hard for the family to be embraced by the middle class.

“They looked down on him. The propaganda worked for such a long time.”

Though Fela Kuti is now celebrated worldwide as the pioneer of Afrobeat, Made pointed out that his recognition came more from the international community than from his homeland.

“Fela was more appreciated abroad than in Nigeria.”

Also read: Made Kuti Rejects Materialism

The younger Kuti’s remarks have sparked renewed debate about how Nigeria often fails to properly honor its legends until long after they’re gone.