“I admire and like you—but I cannot forsake money for love.” That’s the kind of line only Playboy Kuti could pull off in a song and still have fans, especially the ladies cheering. Equal parts charming and unfiltered, the Afrobeats artist is quickly building a sound (and a fanbase) that mixes Lagos heat with Cardiff cool, topped off with a mannequin sidekick named Felicia.

But before the performances, before the catchy hooks, and long before opening for Lil Kesh in London and Cardiff, there was gospel music.

Growing up in Lagos, mornings in his household meant one thing: gospel music blasting before school, work, and church. “Mostly upbeat songs, which really express the Afrobeats culture,” he says, with a kind of nostalgia. While there wasn’t one grand “aha” moment that made him decide to become an artist, the seeds were planted early. “Just casually making music in junior school and people vibing, giving good feedback… those were the defining moments.”

Gospel music was the gateway, but it wasn’t long before Kuti found himself drawn to Afrobeats, simply because, as he puts it, “that’s what I was exposed to. I make it also because I love it.” That love—and that Lagos upbringing—still drives his sound today.

When he moved to Cardiff, there was a shift. “In the early days I tried to infuse the sound with other elements because of my new surroundings,” he says. “It affected my creative and judgmental process about my music.” But that experimentation helped him find his footing. “Now I am more original. I’ve found my balance and found the sound I want to explore for now.”

So how would he describe that sound to someone who’s never heard it before, but is already a fan of Burna Boy, Wizkid, or Tems? “I would describe it as a sound that can produce songs like Last Last, Essence or Joro. I have quite a good range. I can create songs for every atmosphere.”

Take Money and Love, for example. “It’s about me telling a girl, I admire and like you, but I will not forsake money for you. Cannot forsake money for love,” he repeats, laughing a bit at the boldness of it. But there’s truth in that line, truth that a lot of young people, especially boys, might relate to.

Most of his songs come from a personal place. “While some are from my environment and things that I see and inspire me,” he adds. His environment, in more ways than one, has also given birth to some pretty iconic ideas—like Felicia. Yes, his mannequin.

Felicia has become a staple in his performances, always perched on stage beside him. “She’s the alter ego of my female fans,” he explains. “I created an alter ego for my female fans because I want to create a reality where they can have a sidekick and a friend when listening to my music. When you think of Playboy Kuti or listen to my music, you’re not doing it alone—you’re doing it with Felicia by your side.”

Studio sessions for Kuti are a mixed bag, depending on the vibe he’s going for. “But in general, I like a lot of creativity around me. I like to feel the rush when I’m recording—it really puts me in the mood and makes me very expressive.”

That expressive energy multiplies on stage. “I feel very different on stage,” he says. “It depends on the kind of event. I know when to kick into the creative and crazy side of me, and sometimes I need to be more soulful and connect directly to the heart of my fans or audience.”

And let’s not ignore the fashion. Playboy Kuti doesn’t just perform, he shows up. “Fashion has always been part of my journey as a person before an artist, I always want to look fly.” Even if he’s not in the mood, he’ll still dress up if the outfit demands it. “I like wearing a touch of a popping colour. The ladies love my music, so I have to be intentional with the looks and performances so I can keep a long-lasting and more personal experience with them.”

When asked about his most unforgettable performance, Kuti shares a story that’s both sweet and slightly tragic. A fan once offered to fly him out to perform for her and her friends during their holiday after seeing him live for the first time. “She felt the connection and wanted more of it, Unfortunately it didn’t happen as I already had shows booked for that day.”

He also feels that while Afrobeats is finally getting its flowers globally, there’s still a long way to go in terms of full understanding. “Afrobeats is a big family, like siblings with different characters and elements. You can choose who you want to hang out with. It wouldn’t be considered the future if it wasn’t exceptional or if it didn’t have a lot to offer.” But there’s a caveat. “If you listen to a song without having at least a glimpse of the culture, you can’t have the same experience as someone that knows about the culture.”

When asked who he’d want to collaborate with, he doesn’t hesitate. “Omah Lay is my number one for now. Love the sound, love the artistry. Hopefully it will happen soon.” And what keeps him grounded as things start to take off? “The knowledge and realisation that I can do a lot more than I am doing now. There are so many things to achieve—you have to stay grounded to do that.”

So, what’s next? More music, for sure. Possibly a tour. “I recently opened for Lil Kesh in London and Cardiff. I look forward to opening for a lot of the big guys until I can have my headline show at a big capacity,” he says. And yes, he’s also eyeing his first official feature soon—and he’s inviting you to be part of it.

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Stream Playboy Kuti’s Money and Love

Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo