Made Kuti Explains Why He Refused to Kneel While Proposing to His Wife

Marriage proposals should be built on equality, not pressure or performance — that is the message Nigerian Afrobeat singer Made Kuti says guided his decision not to kneel while proposing to his wife, Inedoye Onyenso.

The Grammy-nominated artiste opened up about his views during a recent appearance on the Timeless Podcast aired on Nix Network YouTube channel, where he spoke candidly about relationships, marriage, and modern expectations around proposals.

According to the singer, he deliberately chose not to go down on one knee because he believes marriage should be a mutual agreement between two people, not an act of one person pleading for acceptance.

“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,” he said.

The statement has sparked conversations online, with many Nigerians debating traditional proposal culture and whether kneeling during engagements still carries the same meaning in modern relationships.

Made Kuti, the son of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, married Inedoye Onyenso in a private ceremony held in Lagos in November 2023. The singer had previously revealed that his wife was once his “school daughter,” a comment that also generated reactions on social media at the time.

The musician has never shied away from expressing strong opinions on social issues. Earlier in 2025, he pushed back against critics who attacked his marriage because his wife is Igbo, describing ethnic discrimination as a “slave mentality.”

Over the years, Made Kuti has continued to build his own identity in the Nigerian music industry while carrying the legacy of the famous Kuti family. Known for blending socially conscious themes with Afrobeat sounds, he has steadily gained recognition both locally and internationally.

His latest comments on marriage are now adding another layer to public discussions around relationships, equality, and evolving cultural expectations among younger Nigerians.