Made Kuti
Made Kuti | |
|---|---|
 Mádé Kuti | |
| Born | Omorinmade Anikulapo-Kuti September 26, 1995 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | Trinity Laban Conservatoire |
| Occupation | Singer | Song Writer | Multi-Instrumentalist | Composer | Arranger |
| Spouse |
Inedoye Adanne Kuti (m. 2023) |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | |
| Family | Ransome-Kuti Family |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Afrobeat |
| Instruments | |
Ọmọ́rìnmádé Aníkúlápó Kútì (born 26 September 1995) known professionally as Mádé Kuti, is a Nigerian afrobeat multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger, artist/performer, whose music carries forward a legacy while carving a path of its own. The son of Femi Kuti and grandson of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, Mádé was raised in The New Afrika Shrine, surrounded by rhythm, resistance, and live sound.
He picked up the saxophone at age five and joined his father’s Positive Force band as a child—touring globally and performing at venues like Glastonbury and the Hollywood Bowl before the age of ten. Later, he trained at London’s Trinity Laban Conservatoire, where Fela once studied, mastering up to six instruments including saxophone, trumpet, bass, guitar, and Piano. His intensive daily practice and eclectic music taste—from jazz to alternative rock—shape a sound that’s distinctly his.
In 2021, Mádé released his debut album For(e)ward, a modern Afrobeat manifesto addressing issues like corruption, inequality, and police brutality. The album was packaged with his father’s Stop the Hate under the joint title Legacy+, earning the pair a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2022. On For(e)ward, Mádé played every instrument himself—delivering a raw, politically charged record rooted in personal conviction and national consciousness.
He formed his band, The Movement, that same year and headlined his first solo show at The Shrine on April 4, 2021. In 2024, he expanded his reach across the continent with a standout performance at Tanzania’s Sauti Za Busara Festival.
Following the release of singles like Stand Tall and No More Wars, Mádé Kuti returned in 2025 with "I Won’t Run Away"—a deeply personal new track alongside Life As We Know it which the first offering from his upcoming studio album, Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From? set for release in July 2025.
Mádé continues to evolve as a thoughtful voice in modern Afrobeat, blending tradition with experimentation and staying true to a message that’s both reflective and radical.,
Early life
Made Kuti was born to Femi and Funke Kuti on 26 September 1995.[1] He was raised in the New Afrika Shrine.[2] He learned to play multiple musical instruments including the trumpet, alto, sax, piano and drums in his childhood and started playing the trumpet at age 3. After studying music at Uxbridge College, Hayes Campus, he attended Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London which was Fela Kuti's alma mater.[3][4][5]
Career
Made Kuti started out his musical career in childhood as he played the bass and saxophone with his fathers band, Positive Force.[4][6] He started touring with the band at the age of 8.[7] He released his debut single titled "Free Your Mind" in October 2020.[2]
His debut album was titled For(e)ward which was released solo and as part of a double record titled Legacy+ alongside his father, Femi Kuti.[8] The album was produced by Sodi Marciszewer who had worked with Fela Kuti in the past and was released under Partisan Records.[9] Femi Kuti's Stop the Hate occupies the first 10 tracks of the album while Made Kuti's For(e)ward occupies the last 8 tracks.[10] The cover art is a portrait of Femi Kuti and Made Kuti by Delphine Desane.[11] The album was rated 7.7/10 by a Pulse Nigeria reviewer.[10] His music is described as a blend of jazz, highlife, rock, and reggae.[2]
Made Kuti held an event titled "An evening with Made Kuti" at the Terra Kulture Arena in Lagos where he unveiled his band named The Movement.[12]
He is the son of Nigerian afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti and grandson of afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti.[9]
Personal life
On 1 November 2023, Made and Inedoye Adanne Onyenso (now addressed as. Inedoye Adanne Anikulapo-Kuti) married in Lagos, Nigeria in a private ceremony held in Ikeja.[13]
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | "Free Your Mind" | For(e)ward |
| "Your Enemy" | ||
| 2022 | Stand Tall | Single Release |
| 2022 | No More Wars | Single Release |
| 2025 | I Won't Run Away | Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From? |
| 2025 | Life As We Know It | |
| 2025 | You Can't Hide |
Albums
2021 - For(e)ward
2025- Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Grammy Awards | Best Global Music Album | Legacy+ | Nominated | [14] |
| 2022 | Afrimma | Best Artiste, Duo, or Group om African Jazz | Free Your Mind | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Headies Award | Album of The Year | Legacy+ | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Headies Award | Best Alternative Song | Free Your Mind | Nominated |
References
- ^ Samuel, Mofijesusewa (2020-02-04). "Meet Made Kuti - The Next Afrobeat Star". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
- ^ a b c Wilkinson, James. "Made Kuti | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
- ^ Bada, Gbenga (2020-03-13). "Here's what Fela's first grandson, Made has been up to in 18 months". The Nation (Nigeria). Retrieved 2021-07-21.
- ^ a b Augoye, Jayne (2018-12-13). "Femi Kuti's son, Made, graduates from Fela's alma mater". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
- ^ "Made Kuti: Fela's grandson takes over". PAM - Pan African Music. 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
- ^ "Femi and Made Kuti Announce Double Album, Share New Songs". Pitchfork. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
- ^ Okorie, Chika (26 September 2017). "13 fascinating facts about Femi Kuti's oldest son, 'Made', who's 21 today". Encomium Magazine. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
- ^ Honigmann, David (2021-01-29). "Femi Kuti and Made Kuti: Legacy + — multigenerational Afrobeat". Financial Times. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
- ^ a b Hutchinson, Kate (2021-01-31). "Different beat: how Fela Kuti's son and grandson are modernising the dynasty". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
- ^ a b Alake, Motolani (2021-02-18). "'Legacy+' is a double dose of astute musicianship by Femi Kuti and Made Kuti [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
- ^ "Femi Kuti, Son, Made Kuti release Joint Album 'Legacy'". Vanguard News. 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
- ^ Ihekire, Chinonso (2021-07-10). "Made Kuti Steps Outside The Shrine With The Movement". The Guardian (Nigeria). Retrieved 2021-07-18.
- ^ "#NedoMade2023: Inside Inedoye & Made Kuti's Super Beautiful Wedding Ceremony". BellaNaija. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "Wizkid, Burnaboy, oda Nigerian artists wey dey 2022 Grammy nomination". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2021-11-23.