Mádé’s earliest memories trace back to the New Afrika Shrine — not the original one his grandfather made famous, but the rebuilt version established by his father, Femi Kuti, and aunt, Yeni, in 2000. He recalls performing on the trumpet at just five years old during its opening, and spending his childhood surrounded by rhythm, activism, and the unrestrained energy of music. “The shrine gave me freedom,” he reflects. “I was a troublemaker — jumping on tables, riding bicycles and skateboards. All my childhood memories of the shrine are happy ones.”
Despite being surrounded by music icons, Mádé insists his passion for sound was never imposed. “It developed naturally from all the exposure around me,” he explains. “Every instrument I wanted to learn, someone in my dad’s band taught me the basics.” From the trumpet to saxophone, piano, guitar, and drums, Mádé’s musical dexterity grew organically — each instrument a different window into his creativity.
Now, as both an Afrobeat torchbearer and classically trained musician, Mádé says he doesn’t feel the need to force a blend between his roots and Western influences. “Afrobeat is always the foundation,” he says, “but I let music guide itself. I don’t constrain my creativity.”
While his sound pays homage to Fela’s defiant rhythms and Femi’s lyrical activism, Mádé’s artistry leans more toward reflection and self-awareness. His recent album, Chapter One: Where Does Happiness Come From?, invites listeners to think deeply about accountability and personal growth. “My focus is on individual responsibility,” he notes. “We often blame others for Nigeria’s problems, but if 200 million Nigerians worked together, real change could happen.”
Yet, Mádé doesn’t shy away from the weight of his name. “I see it as a blessing to be part of such an incredible lineage,” he says. “Still, I wish people could sometimes take my music as art in itself, beyond the family legacy.” While comparisons to his father and grandfather are inevitable, he believes the heavier burden rested on Femi’s shoulders. “He had to prove himself while Fela was still alive,” Mádé recalls. “Even his first hit, Wonder Wonder, people said Fela wrote it. My father had to fight that perception. He always reminds people that I’m doing my own work.”
Discipline, he adds, is the greatest lesson he learned from his father. “My dad practised for hours daily and toured relentlessly. Watching him taught me how hard work defines artistry.” This discipline also shaped Mádé’s approach to performance. From playing bass and sax in his father’s band to leading his own concerts, he’s learned to channel nervous energy into confidence.
Offstage, Mádé lives a grounded life. He describes his marriage as effortless, built on compatibility and shared values rather than ethnic identity. His wife, who runs a clothing brand, also manages his social media and accompanies him on tours. “We’re very naturally compatible; no stress or pretense,” he says simply.
Beyond music, Mádé finds joy in the mundane — playing football, cooking, reading, and cleaning. “If you want to make the world a better place, start with your own space,” he says with quiet conviction. At home, no one wears shoes indoors — a simple rule that mirrors his belief in discipline and order.
Still, the artist is deeply aware of the challenges musicians face in today’s Nigeria. “The Lagos music scene is struggling,” he admits. “Many venues have shut down, and fewer people can afford live shows. The economy is hitting musicians hard.” Yet he remains grateful for his platform and opportunities — particularly those that come from live performances abroad.
Mádé’s current tour will take him from Paris to Berlin and Switzerland before returning home for The Fela Exhibition at Ecobank, a celebration of his grandfather’s enduring legacy. Despite his achievements, he maintains a humble view of recognition: “Awards don’t make my songs better, but they open doors and bring credibility.”
Reflecting on his journey, Mádé acknowledges both privilege and perseverance. “My dad wasn’t a nepo baby,” he says. “He had to teach himself everything. I’m lucky to have had the opportunities he fought for.” That generational contrast — struggle giving way to structure — defines Mádé’s evolution.
“I’ve been blessed with freedom,” he concludes. “All I want is to create honestly and live with purpose. The rest will take care of itself.”