The Guardian (Nigeria)

Made Kuti Steps Outside The Shrine With The Movement

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ITwas a jaw- dropping spectacle, last Friday, as Afrobeat royalty, Omorinmade Kuti, performed outside the New Afrika Shrine, with his band, dubbed ‘ The Movement’, at Terra Kulture, in Lagos. Made, who just debuted his profession­al career, earlier this year, became the cynosure of all eyes as he performed his debut album, dubbed ‘ For( e) ward’, to the delight of attendees.

The event, which kicked off in the evening, with strict adherence to COVID- 19 protocols, featured the young Afrobeat maestro with his intriguing band members, from start to finish. And from the start to the finish, one would marvel at Made’s vibrant band direction, which showed his mastery in the art.

As the crowd giggled and gyrated to the young Kuti’s electrifyi­ng performanc­e, a key highlight for the night was when Made brought on his uncle, Seun Kuti, and his father, Femi Kuti, for separate duets. In fact, his father performed twice on stage with him, bringing back some of the iconic Fela Kuti tunes such as ‘ Trouble Sleep Yanga Go Wake Am’, ‘ Zombie’, among others.

People who are abreast of the rich Afrobeat legacy in Nigeria would be aware that Made Kuti is a chip off the Kuti block, being the grandson of the legendary Afrobeat progenitor, Fela Kuti. He started out his career, with a joint- album release with his father dubbed ‘ Legacy+’, earlier this year, debuting strong as a multi- talented singer, songwriter, instrument­alist and activist, as is custom in the Kuti bloodline.

As a mark of his rising prominence, the event was a star- studded showcase which featured Don Jazzy, Wande Coal, Reminisce, Niniola, Cavemen., among others. The event climaxed with a dance- floor session with both father and son, as they performed the outro for the night.

With such a sturdy take- off, expectatio­ns are high for the prince of Afrobeat as he takes on his revolution­ary legacy.

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