Femi Kuti breaks down 20 years after mother’s death

DDM News

Nigerian Afrobeat singer Made Kuti has opened up about how deeply the death of his grandmother, Remi Kuti, affected his father, Femi Kuti, even though he didn’t cry until 20 years later.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Made revealed this emotional story while speaking during a recent episode of the Tea With Tay podcast.

According to Made, Remi Kuti, who was the mother of Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti, died on the same day Femi was scheduled to perform a music show.

Despite the family tragedy, Femi Kuti honored his professional commitment and went ahead with the performance as planned.

The following day, major newspapers in Nigeria reported the event with sensational headlines that painted Femi as cold-hearted or indifferent.

One such headline reportedly read: “Femi Kuti’s Mother Dies, He Still Performs.”

Made, however, clarified that this public perception was far from the truth.

He explained that his father did not outwardly express his grief at the time and instead buried the pain deep inside.

Femi Kuti would later go on with life and music without visibly mourning the loss of his mother.

But during a tour nearly two decades later, Femi suddenly broke down in tears.

According to Made, the emotional release shocked Femi himself, who could not immediately understand what had triggered the tears.

Femi Kuti then called his sister, Yeni Kuti, for clarity and emotional support.

Yeni Kuti gently reminded him that it was the anniversary of their mother’s passing.

Made said this realization helped his father connect with the grief he had suppressed for years.

The revelation underscores how deeply African men, especially public figures, often struggle with expressing grief and emotions due to societal expectations.

It also highlights the lasting psychological impact that unresolved grief can have—even on world-renowned artists.

Made described the moment as a heavy emotional release that came only after years of internal struggle and professional pressure.

He said the family has grown closer by being able to reflect on the incident and talk more openly about emotional health.

The story has resonated with many fans on social media, some of whom praised Femi for his resilience and others for his vulnerability.

Made’s disclosure adds a human side to the larger-than-life image of the Kuti family, known for its political activism and musical legacy.

Remi Kuti, the matriarch of the family, played a strong maternal role in the lives of Femi and Yeni, who are children of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.

Femi, like his father, has used music as a form of activism and expression, though his personal life has often remained private.

This glimpse into the Kuti family’s emotional journey offers a powerful reminder that even the strongest icons carry private burdens.

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