Afrobeat singer, Omórìnmádé Aníkúlápó-Kútì, popularly known as Made Kuti, has lamented that the Nigerian music scene is struggling despite the global recognition it has received.
The grandson of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, also hinted, that his formative years at the New Afrika Shrine were instrumental in shaping both his personality and musical career.
In an interview with journalists, Made recalled that the shrine, which was opened in 2000 by his father, Femi Kuti, and aunt, Yeni Kuti, gave him a rare sense of liberty and creativity.
“I was about five years old when the shrine was opened, and I remember playing the trumpet on that day. All my childhood memories of the shrine are happy ones. It gave me freedom. I was a troublemaker—jumping on tables, riding bicycles and skateboards. I also watched my dad perform for hours and still went to school the next morning.” he said.
According to him, music was a natural path, not a forced career choice. Surrounded by musicians from his father’s band, he moved effortlessly from one instrument to another, starting with the trumpet before learning the saxophone, piano, guitar, and drums.
Made explained that while afrobeat remains the foundation of his artistry, he allows other styles to flow naturally into his work. “Even on my latest album, you will hear a lot of stylistic differences. I don’t constrain myself. I let music guide itself,” he said.
The singer, who married in 2023, described his wife as a strong pillar of support in his career. “She runs her own clothing brand but also doubles as my personal assistant. She manages my social media and travels with me when possible. We are naturally compatible, no stress, no pretence,” he said.
Made emphasised that his family heritage is both a blessing and a challenge. While proud to come from a lineage of musicians, doctors, and activists, he admitted that he sometimes wished his work could be judged outside the weight of the family name.
He dismissed suggestions that he feels pressured to outshine his grandfather, saying that burden was heavier on his father. “When my dad released his first hit, people even claimed Fela wrote it for him. He had to fight that stigma. Unlike Fela, my dad has always been very protective, always giving me accolades and making sure people know I am doing my own work,” he explained.
On the biggest lesson he learnt from Femi Kuti, Made said discipline and work ethic stood out. He recalled how his father practised long hours daily and endured challenges while touring internationally, particularly when Nigerian musicians abandoned tours abroad to seek asylum, making things difficult for others.
While Fela and Femi are remembered for deploying afrobeat as a tool of activism, Made said his approach is slightly different. He prefers to focus on individual accountability and cultural change. “If I start singing about politicians, what would I say that Nigerians don’t already know? My latest album is more introspective, encouraging people to take responsibility for their happiness and actions,” he said.
Beyond music, the 30-year-old shared that he enjoys football, chess, reading, cooking and spending time with family. He added that simplicity, cleanliness and order in his home remain important values.
Speaking on the Nigerian music scene, Made lamented that many venues have shut down, leaving artistes with fewer opportunities. “The economy is crumbling. Only musicians who pull massive crowds get shows. Many great talents are sidelined because organisers don’t want to take risks,” he observed.
Still, he acknowledged being more fortunate than most, with opportunities to perform in Europe and showcase his work at major exhibitions in Lagos. His new album, Chapter One: Where Does Happiness Come From?, explores themes of joy, self-reflection and humanity in an age of technological dominance and global crises.
Despite a thriving career, the singer admitted to some regrets, particularly not practising enough as a child. “I regret jumping from one instrument to another instead of learning them one after the other,” he confessed.
For younger musicians from famous families, his advice is simple: “Don’t focus on standing out. Just be yourself and create honestly. The beauty of art is that it stands out naturally, even if not immediately appreciated.”