“My grandfather, Fela died poor” – Made Kuti reveals, says fame doesn’t equal fortune

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Made Kuti Afrobeat singer and grandson of music legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has made a surprising revelation about his grandfather’s life and legacy, revealing that despite his global recognition, the late icon died ‘poor’.

Speaking during a recent interview on the Tea With Tay podcast hosted by Taymesan, Made said that fame doesn’t always translate to wealth or comfort.

“He was broke. Fela died poor,” he said. “He made the kind of money that could have bought a whole street. But when he came back from shows, he’d open a box of cash and say, ‘Anybody that needs, take.’ His house was an open house. Anybody could walk in.”

He went on to explain the harsh realities of fame and how Fela’s generosity and communal lifestyle meant money never stayed.

Made also talked about the struggles his family faced, despite bearing the Kuti name.

“I would never say or deny the fact that I, as a Kuti, have opened a lot of doors for myself in the industry. A lot of musicians who discovered and pioneered original music didn’t come from privileged backgrounds,” he said.

“Punk, blues, jazz, rock music, even hip-hop, they came from struggle. People used art to evoke the trauma they were experiencing. Fela did that. Every time he was beaten, every time he was jailed, he came back with a stronger song. After they beat him, came Zombie, Suffering and Smiling. That was how he dealt with pain. That was his weapon.”

He also highlighted how brutally honest the music industry is, especially for those with famous last names.

“Music is one of the worst professions where nepotism can succeed, because it’s brutally honest. If you see me perform and it’s not good, you’ll know. You can’t fake it.”

Made recalled the rigid rules in the Kalakuta Republic, Fela’s communal home and music base, where everyone was treated equally—no special treatment, not even for his own children.

“His children were not allowed to call him dad or father or any kind of honorific because he didn’t want any special treatment for them, because everybody was equal in Kalakuta. He didn’t like that, though. I think they lived it. I believe truly that my father and my auntie need therapy. They watched Fela rise, fall, and die without ever being treated differently.”

Made also noted that despite Fela’s global appeal, he was largely rejected in Nigeria toward the end of his life.

“By ’96, ’97, people weren’t speaking positively about him anymore. His popularity had faded in the media and public opinion.”

“They took him to Tafawa Balewa Square and were told, ‘Nobody’s coming.’ Then millions showed up. They carried him back to Kalakuta. It was aired on TV,” he added.

Fela Anikulapo Kuti passed away on August 2, 1997, but his legacy continues to inspire generations across the globe.