Afrobeat singer and saxophonist Made Kuti has opened up about why he deliberately keeps social media off his phone, stressing that the choice helps him stay grounded and focused on his craft rather than chasing attention.
The revelation was made at the 13th Ake Arts and Books Festival, recently held at Bon Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Made spoke during a panel discussion that featured his father, Afrobeat veteran Femi Kuti, and focused on Mrs Kuti, a memoir authored by Remilekun Kuti. The session was moderated by award-winning poet Dami Ajayi.
Speaking on the realities of being raised in a famous household, Made said he was exposed early to public attention but learned how to navigate it from a young age.
“But back to what he (Femi) said as well, about growing up as a child in a famous family. So I had similar experiences as he did, but I learnt to sort of manage those experiences at a very young age,” he said.
He clarified that his absence from social media is not an attempt to escape visibility, but a way to avoid the pressure of constantly seeking validation.
“So for example at this moment, I don’t have social media on my phone because I prefer to stay away from not so much limelight, but more so the desire to always be the subject of attention. So, I really believe that what I should do as a musician is practice my music as best as I can and deliver music to the best of my abilities. And that is what should define me,” Made explained.
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Prompt News reports the musician also highlighted the differences between his upbringing and that of his father, noting that their childhood environments were shaped by different priorities.
“This kind of thinking, my philosophy in life, the fact that I can say I love one woman and want to stay with her for the rest of my life. That’s not him (Femi). So it’s a totally different life. I grew up in a home where family was priority. My father grew up in a home where the country was priority. So it’s a totally different, polar opposite upbringing. I did grow up in the shrine as well but with a lot of mediation by him,” he stated.
According to Made, the strong family structure provided by his father played a major role in shaping his stability and outlook on life. He said he and his siblings benefitted from an upbringing built on love, discipline, and freedom to pursue their passions.
“Myself and my siblings have had a great upbringing, that I truly have nothing to complain about, from love, teachings about life, my academics, my passion, what I want to pursue, myself, so much so that I am quite a stable person,” he added.
