Grammy-nominated Afrobeat singer, Made Kuti, has explained why he refused to go down on one knee while proposing to his wife, Inedoye Onyenso, saying marriage should be built on equality and mutual understanding rather than one-sided pleading.
The 30-year-old musician made the revelation during a recent appearance on the Timeless Podcast, where he spoke openly about his marriage, personal beliefs and reactions trailing his relationship.
According to the grandson of Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti, he deliberately chose not to kneel because he believes both partners should willingly choose each other without pressure or superiority.
“I did not go down on my knees when proposing to my wife because I told her it was a mutual decision. We are not begging each other to be with each other,” Made Kuti said.
The singer explained that for him, marriage is a partnership based on shared commitment, respect and understanding, not an act where one person appears to be pleading for acceptance.
Made Kuti and Inedoye Onyenso got married in a private ceremony held in Lagos in November 2023 after maintaining a long-term relationship that began during their secondary school days.
The Afrobeat star revealed that Onyenso was once his school daughter, adding another personal layer to their love story which has continued to attract public attention.
Over time, the marriage has sparked mixed reactions online, especially from critics who questioned his decision to marry outside his ethnic group.
Reacting to the backlash, Made Kuti strongly condemned ethnic prejudice and tribal sentiments, particularly comments targeting his wife for being Igbo.
He described such criticisms as backward and rooted in what he called a “slave mentality,” insisting that love and marriage should never be judged through tribal or ethnic divisions.
The singer has repeatedly defended his marriage against online attacks, maintaining that personal happiness and genuine connection matter more than societal expectations or ethnic stereotypes.
Known for his outspoken views on social issues, Made Kuti continues the legacy of activism and independent thinking associated with the Kuti family, often speaking on topics beyond music and entertainment.
