Afrobeat Heir, Made Kuti, Reveals Painful Regret About Musical Journey

Nigerian Afrobeat star, Made Kuti, has spoken candidly about his personal journey in music and marriage, revealing some of the challenges he has faced along the way. According to Ireporter Online, the grandson of the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti expressed his biggest regret in his musical career—failing to dedicate more time to mastering one instrument before moving to another.

In a recent interview, the singer and instrumentalist admitted that his early approach to learning was scattered, as he moved from instrument to instrument instead of building solid mastery. “I wish I had practised more when I was younger. I regret jumping from instrument to instrument, instead of learning them one after the other,” he confessed.

Speaking on his marriage, Made revealed that marrying outside his tribe has not posed any issues. He explained that his family has always been diverse, and his relationship with his wife was built on shared values rather than ethnic considerations. “When I met my wife, it wasn’t about ethnicity; it was about values. Only during the last general elections did I notice ethnic tension, but I ignored it. I’d make the same choice a hundred times over,” he stated.

Made also shed light on the struggles of being a musician, particularly when it comes to mastering the trumpet. He described it as one of the most challenging instruments, noting that while it may appear simple, it requires constant practice and reliance on mouth muscles that weaken quickly if neglected. “Trying to master your craft is incredibly hard. Some days are good; others are really bad. Instruments like the trumpet are deceptively difficult. It looks innocent, but it’s more demanding than the saxophone because it relies on mouth muscles that weaken quickly. If you skip practice for just three days, your sound suffers,” he explained.