Afrobeat artist Made Kuti has reflected on his upbringing at the New Afrika Shrine, calling it the source of his freedom, musical growth, and identity.
The grandson of Fela Kuti shared childhood memories of riding bicycles, skateboarding, and “jumping on tables” at the Shrine, saying: “All my childhood memories of the shrine are happy ones.”
He also said that being part of the Kuti family is “both a blessing and a responsibility,” noting, “whatever I do creatively will always be attributed to the family, and I’m okay with that. But sometimes, I wish people could take my music as art in itself, beyond the lineage.”
Today, Made plays multiple instruments — trumpet, saxophone, piano, guitar, and drums — and credits his father, Femi Kuti, for shaping his discipline and work ethic. His latest project, “Chapter One: Where Does Happiness Come From?”, centres on self-responsibility and cultural change.
