Fela Was More Celebrated Abroad Than in Nigeria – Made Kuti 

Afrobeat musician Made Kuti has revealed that his grandfather, the late music icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti, received greater recognition abroad than in his home country, Nigeria.

In a recent interview, Made shared that Fela, despite being a cultural and musical pioneer, faced local resistance during his lifetime — a reality that shaped the perception of the Kuti family for years.

“If you look further back during Fela’s lifetime, he was appreciated locally less than internationally,” Made stated, pointing to the Afrobeat legend’s global acclaim contrasted with Nigeria’s cautious embrace.

He also recounted the social struggles faced by his father, Femi Kuti, who often bore the weight of the Kuti name in everyday life. According to Made, being a Kuti in Nigeria once came with stigma rather than pride.

“I remember my dad telling us about how he couldn’t even date girls because the fact that he was a Kuti was a major red flag. They looked down on him because at the time, Fela was not seen as someone who was financially successful,” he said.

Fela, who used his music as a tool for political activism and social commentary, was regularly at odds with the authorities and faced multiple arrests. While that cemented his legacy internationally, it also led to skepticism and controversy at home.

Today, the Kuti name stands tall in Afrobeat history, with multiple generations — including Femi and Made — carrying on the musical and ideological legacy of their forebear. However, as Made’s reflection shows, that legacy was once a burden before it became a badge of honour.