Fela Died Poor! Made Kuti, grandson of the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti, not too long ago opened up in a refreshingly trustworthy interview on the Tea With Tay podcast, and let’s simply say — he didn’t maintain again. Talking about his grandfather’s larger-than-life legacy, Made dropped a shocking fact: Fela, regardless of his world fame and affect, died broke.

“He was broke. Fela died poor,” he stated. “He made the sort of cash that might have purchased an entire road. However when he got here again from exhibits, he’d open a field of money and say, ‘Anyone that wants, take.’ His home was an open home. Anyone may stroll in.” And that was the factor about Fela — his life was by no means about hoarding wealth or chasing luxurious. It was about individuals. About neighborhood. About standing for one thing, even when it prices him the whole lot.

Made mirrored on the struggles that got here with the Kuti identify, acknowledging that whereas it has opened doorways, it got here with ache too. “I might by no means deny the truth that I, as a Kuti, have opened plenty of doorways for myself within the trade,” he shared. “However let’s not overlook — many of the best music on the earth got here from individuals who didn’t have something. Punk, blues, jazz, hip-hop… they have been all born from battle. That’s what Fela did too. Each time he was jailed or overwhelmed, he got here again with stronger music. Zombie, Struggling and Smiling — these songs weren’t simply hits. They have been his battle.”

And whereas it’s straightforward to imagine being born into greatness means you’ve gotten it straightforward, Made reminded us that the music trade doesn’t care about your final identify if you happen to can’t again it up. “Music is without doubt one of the worst professions the place nepotism can succeed, as a result of it’s brutally trustworthy. In case you see me carry out and it’s not good, you’ll know. You possibly can’t pretend it.”

He additionally shared uncommon particulars about life inside Kalakuta Republic — Fela’s iconic commune and music hub. In Kalakuta, nobody acquired particular therapy, not even Fela’s personal kids. “His youngsters couldn’t name him dad or use any sort of title. Everybody was equal in Kalakuta. However that left a mark. I truthfully imagine my dad and aunt nonetheless want remedy. They watched their father rise, fall, and die, and by no means acquired to expertise him as only a father.”

Made didn’t draw back from the irony that whereas the world now celebrates Fela as an icon, Nigeria didn’t at all times see it that manner. “By ‘96, ‘97, individuals weren’t talking positively about him anymore. His identify had light from the media and public opinion. They took his physique to Tafawa Balewa Sq. and have been instructed, ‘No one’s coming.’ However tens of millions confirmed up. They carried him again to Kalakuta. It was aired on TV.”

Fela handed away on August 2, 1997, however the impression of his voice, his artwork, and his radical truth-telling nonetheless echoes louder than ever. Via Made, the story continues — not simply the music, however the message.

Featured Picture: David Corio | Getty Pictures