‘Fela Kuti died poor’, Madé Kuti makes shocking revelation

Nigerian musician Madé Kuti has opened up on his grandfather, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s life and legacy, revealing that he died as a poor man.

While speaking with Tayemesan in an episode of Tea with Tay, Madé explained that although Fela made a lot of money, he died broke.

He further explained that his financial position was due to his excessive generosity.

“He was broke. Fela died poor… He had the kind of money that could have bought a whole street, but when he comes back from a show in Kalakuta, he will open a box of money and say anyone who needs it should take it. Anybody from the street could walk into Fela’s house. It was an open house policy, anybody could walk in and walk out at any time,” he said.

Madé also revealed that Fela did not allow his children to call him Dad or father because he saw everyone in Kalakuta as equals.

“His children were not allowed to call him ‘dad’ or ‘father’ because he didn’t want any preferential treatment for them. Everybody was equal in Kalakuta,” he said.