Music artist Made Kuti has revealed that his grandfather and Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, died in poverty despite earning substantial wealth during his lifetime.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Tea With Tay podcast hosted by actor Taymesan, Made explained that Fela's extreme generosity was responsible for his financial situation at death.
"He was broke. Fela died poor... He had the kind of money that could have bought a whole street, but when he comes back from a show in Kalakuta, he will open a box of money and say anyone who needs it should take it. Anybody from the street could walk into Fela's house. It was an open house policy, anybody could walk in and walk out at any time," Made disclosed.
The younger Kuti also shared insights into Fela's unique parenting approach, revealing that "his children were not allowed to call him 'dad' or 'father' because he didn't want any preferential treatment for them. Everybody was equal in Kalakuta."
According to Made, his grandfather enjoyed greater recognition internationally than in Nigeria during his lifetime, stating that "during Fela's lifetime, he was appreciated more internationally than he was locally."
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, widely regarded as one of Africa's most influential musicians and the pioneer of the Afrobeat genre, died on August 2, 1997, at the age of 58, leaving behind a rich musical legacy that continues to inspire generations of artists globally.
Made Kuti, following in his grandfather's and father Femi Kuti's footsteps, has been making his own mark in the music industry while sharing insights about his family's remarkable legacy.
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