Made Kuti reflects on his early life at the New Afrika Shrine, describing how the iconic space shaped his freedom, music, and values.
Afrobeat musician Omórìnmádé Aníkúlápó-Kútì, popularly known as Made Kuti, has said growing up around the New Afrika Shrine shaped his childhood and sense of freedom.
In an interview with The Punch, Kuti recalled the shrine’s opening in 2000 when he played the trumpet at just five years old. He said, “The shrine gave me freedom. I was a troublemaker — jumping on tables, riding bicycles and skateboards. All my childhood memories of the shrine are happy ones.”
Kuti, who now plays five instruments comfortably, credited his father, Femi Kuti, and members of his band for nurturing his skills. He added that his musical journey was never forced, noting, “Every instrument I wanted to learn, someone in my dad’s band taught me the basics.”
He recently released an album, Chapter One: Where Does Happiness Come From?, which he is currently promoting across Europe.