Afrobeat singer and saxophonist Made Kuti has opened up about his deliberate decision to live without social media on his phone, revealing that it has nothing to do with avoiding fame, but everything to do with protecting his sense of self.
Speaking at the 13th edition of the Ake Arts and Books Festival held at Bon Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, Made explained that stepping back from social media helps him resist the constant pull to seek attention.
The conversation took place during a panel discussion featuring his father, Afrobeat icon Femi Kuti, centred on Remilekun Kuti’s memoir, Mrs Kuti. The session was moderated by award-winning poet Dami Ajayi.
Reflecting on life as a child born into a famous family, Made acknowledged that he shared similar experiences with his father while growing up, but learned early how to navigate them on his own terms.
“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.
That self-awareness, he explained, shaped his relationship with visibility and 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 stated.
The musician also drew a clear contrast between his upbringing and that of his father. According to him, while Femi Kuti grew up in a household where national struggle and activism came first, his own childhood was rooted firmly in family values.
He credited this difference for the stability he enjoys today and for the principles that guide his personal life, including his outlook on love and commitment a revelation that earned him applause from the audience.
“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.
“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,” Made noted.
In a world where attention often feels like currency, Made Kuti’s reflections offered a quiet reminder that for him, mastery of craft — not constant visibility — is what truly matters.