Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the iconic Afrobeat legend, may have been a king in the hearts of fans and activists worldwide, but according to his grandson, Made Kuti, Fela passed away with little financial wealth.
Made Kuti, a talented musician and saxophonist, shared this emotional revelation during an interview on the Tea With Tay podcast hosted by media personality Taymesan.
He painted a touching and sobering picture of his grandfather’s life, revealing how Fela lived a life of radical generosity and anti-materialistic values.
“He was broke. Fela died poor,” Made said. Despite having enough wealth to buy an entire street, Fela would give away money freely to anyone in need.
Made further explained that Fela’s Kalakuta Republic was an open house where people could walk in and walk out with help, food, or money, without any question.
Made also mentioned that Fela’s egalitarian views extended to his family, as his children were not allowed to call him “dad” or “father” to avoid preferential treatment.
While Fela may not have been fully appreciated in Nigeria during his lifetime, his influence and legacy continue to inspire generations.
Even though he passed away poor, his impact on music and culture remains priceless.
