when you hear the name “Kuti,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Afrobeat, right? Activism, Fela, Femi, Seun, the New Afrika Shrine… and for many people, a thick cloud of smoke.
Let’s be real, the association between the Kuti name and marijuana (or igbo, if you like) is stronger than Super Glue. Thanks to the legendary Abami Eda himself, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who never hid his love for the herb. For him, it was part of his identity, his music, and his protest.
Because of this, many people just assume that to be a Kuti, you must be a faithful disciple of “goro”. The thinking is that it’s a family tradition, passed down from one generation to the next.
Well, hold on to your Zobos, because Made Kuti, Fela’s grandson and a firecracker Afrobeat artist in his own right, has come to clear the air!
In a recent chat, the talented musician addressed this widespread gist head-on. He made it clear that the idea that every single person carrying the Kuti name is a smoker is simply not true.
In other words, no be everybody for the family dey follow that particular path.
Made basically said, “Abeg, make una calm down.” He dismissed the misconception, explaining that while the legacy of his grandfather is something he carries with pride, the family is made up of individuals with their own choices and lifestyles.
So, the long and short of the matter is this: The Kuti legacy is rich, powerful, and complex, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all “agbada.” They are united by music and a revolutionary spirit, but not necessarily by smoking habits.
Next time the gist comes up for your area and someone says, “All those Kuti people dey smoke,” you can now correct them with your full chest.
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