Made Kuti Says Grandfather Fela Kuti Died Poor Despite Wealth and Generosity
Fela Anikulapo‑Kuti, the legendary pioneer of Afrobeat, passed away in financial hardship despite once earning enough to “buy a whole street,” according to his grandson, singer-songwriter Made Kuti. In a recent episode of the Tea With Tay podcast, Made shared candid reflections on Fela’s lifestyle and legacy.
Made recounted that his grandfather often returned from performances with substantial earnings, yet treated his home, Kalakuta Republic, as an open-door sanctuary. “Anybody from the street could walk into Fela’s house… it was an open‑house policy,” he explained. Anyone in need was encouraged to help themselves.
Despite his music’s international acclaim and financial success, Made stressed that Fela died without personal wealth because generosity was central to his character. “He had the kind of money that could have bought a whole street… but when he comes back from a show… he opens a box of money and says anyone who needs it should take it.”
He also discussed the communal values in Fela’s family, noting that children were not permitted to call him ‘dad’ or ‘father,’ reinforcing the idea that everyone in Kalakuta was equal and avoiding any special treatment for family members.
Beyond revealing Fela’s financial reality, Made reflected on the emotional and psychological legacy left behind. He shared that growing up in the Kuti family has been complicated for his father, Femi, and aunt Yeni, as they witnessed Fela’s rise from poverty to fame and then decline. He suggested that they might benefit from therapy to process these experiences.
Made also expressed pride in bearing the Kuti name, acknowledging that while it opens many doors in the music industry, it also carries immense expectations.