Afrobeat singer and multi-instrumentalist Made Kuti is pushing back against one of the most persistent assumptions surrounding Nigeria’s most famous musical dynasty.
The grandson of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and son of renowned musician Femi Kuti said it is a misconception that all members of the Kuti family use narcotics.
Speaking with TheCable on the sidelines of the United States Mission’s 250th Independence Day celebration in Lagos, Made said many people automatically assume he and his relatives smoke or use drugs simply because of their family name.
“A lot of people think I smoke, but I don’t, and even my dad has quit. So, there is a big misconception that the family are all into narcotics, but most of us are not,” he said.
The singer, who has steadily carved his own path in the Afrobeat scene while carrying forward his family’s musical legacy, also offered a glimpse into his personality when asked to describe himself in three words.
Made chose “hardworking, loyal and passionate,” joking that loyalty particularly suits him because “I’m a married man.”
Despite being part of a new generation of Nigerian music stars, Made revealed that his musical tastes remain deeply rooted in his family’s heritage. Asked which Nigerian artiste he currently listens to the most, he named his grandfather, Fela.
Over the years, the Kuti name has become synonymous with Afrobeat, activism and social commentary. However, Made’s remarks underscore his desire to separate myths from reality and remind the public that the celebrated family, like any other, should not be defined by stereotypes.
