₦airaland Forum

Seun Kuti, Afrobeat musician and son of the late legendary icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has criticised repeated comparisons between Afrobeats star Wizkid and his father, describing such claims as disrespectful and misleading. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Speaking during a recent Instagram Live session, Seun cautioned members of Wizkid’s fanbase, popularly known as Wizkid FC, against referring to the Grammy-winning singer as a modern-day Fela. According to him, equating any contemporary artiste with the Afrobeat pioneer undermines the originality, impact, and historical significance of Fela’s legacy.

Seun argued that his father’s influence went far beyond music, stressing that Fela’s art was deeply rooted in activism, resistance, and social consciousness—qualities he believes cannot be casually replicated or transferred to another artist.

He expressed frustration over what he described as persistent online disrespect toward Fela, questioning why his father’s name is often dragged into debates involving modern Afrobeats stars. Seun said such comparisons stem from ignorance rather than genuine appreciation of Fela’s contributions to African music and global political discourse.

The Afrobeat singer also blamed extreme fan rivalries for negatively affecting the Nigerian music industry, noting that unnecessary comparisons and online hostility have made collaborations between artistes increasingly difficult.

According to Seun, fans should focus on appreciating their favourite artistes for who they are, rather than attempting to elevate them by placing them alongside cultural icons of a different era and purpose.

He urged Wizkid’s supporters to celebrate the singer’s achievements on their own merit and allow Fela’s legacy to remain respected and undiluted.

The comments have since sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians divided over the long-running debate between Afrobeat heritage and modern Afrobeats stardom.

https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/01/11/its-wrong-to-compare-wizkid-to-fela-seun-kuti-fires-back-at-fans/

Good observation...thank you Seun.

Lack of education is what makes people think you can compare fela to any current Nigerian singer. And I say singer because most can't play any instrument or even produce their songs.

Fela actually studied music, he can read music.

How can you compare a father figure to a child.

Haba, Fela is an African legend.

Fela belongs to a group of historical musicians which includes Bob Marley, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Brenda Fassie, Victor Uwaifo, Onyeka Onwenu, Madonna, Michael Jackson etc.

The new breed of musicians like Wizkid usually model themselves after the legends so there’s no big deal. Same way the young rappers look up to them Tupac and Notorious Big.

Seun kuti is on point.

Present day musician only know how to sing about:

- Yansh
- Toto
- Money
- Drugs


These are what sell now in an era where the country is now worse than the times where activism was at its peak.


Huge disrespect comparing these Youthful exubearing vain contemporary musicians to the great Fela who sang with his blood against corrupt military Heads of States and the general babaric state of the nation then.

The first thread in all my years on Nairaland that I have come across a thread that everyone’s post above me made sense.

alphonsojidebab:
Seun Kuti, Afrobeat musician and son of the late legendary icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has criticised repeated comparisons between Afrobeats star Wizkid and his father, describing such claims as disrespectful and misleading. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Speaking during a recent Instagram Live session, Seun cautioned members of Wizkid’s fanbase, popularly known as Wizkid FC, against referring to the Grammy-winning singer as a modern-day Fela. According to him, equating any contemporary artiste with the Afrobeat pioneer undermines the originality, impact, and historical significance of Fela’s legacy.

Seun argued that his father’s influence went far beyond music, stressing that Fela’s art was deeply rooted in activism, resistance, and social consciousness—qualities he believes cannot be casually replicated or transferred to another artist.

He expressed frustration over what he described as persistent online disrespect toward Fela, questioning why his father’s name is often dragged into debates involving modern Afrobeats stars. Seun said such comparisons stem from ignorance rather than genuine appreciation of Fela’s contributions to African music and global political discourse.

The Afrobeat singer also blamed extreme fan rivalries for negatively affecting the Nigerian music industry, noting that unnecessary comparisons and online hostility have made collaborations between artistes increasingly difficult.

According to Seun, fans should focus on appreciating their favourite artistes for who they are, rather than attempting to elevate them by placing them alongside cultural icons of a different era and purpose.

He urged Wizkid’s supporters to celebrate the singer’s achievements on their own merit and allow Fela’s legacy to remain respected and undiluted.

The comments have since sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians divided over the long-running debate between Afrobeat heritage and modern Afrobeats stardom.

https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/01/11/its-wrong-to-compare-wizkid-to-fela-seun-kuti-fires-back-at-fans/

cc: Mynd44 , Nlfpmod , Seun

Am not a fan of Seun but comparing Wizkid to Fela, is an insult at the height of it and I know it must come from this Gen Z children who don't know what Fela dis for this country through his Music

So wrong in every sense

There can never be another fela

Wizkid songs focus more on women, money n sayo

An insult of the highest order for such a comparison

Alaye that's still living in old glory.

This is Wizkid time. I am sure Fela must have been compared with somebody in the past

Stop disturbing us with irrelevant matter

femi4:
So wrong in every sense

There can never be another fela

Wizkid songs focus more on women, money n sayo

Go and watch Asake ft Wizkid red bull symphonic. Go and see raw live performance from both . Explain to us if women was mentioned in that powerful song

Modified: Let me just post the video. I never get tired of it


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhkqYbrv7_k&pp=ygUYYXNha2UgcmVkIGJ1bGwgc3ltcGhvbmlj

That's just the truth

I don't even know what they sing to compare themselves to the great Fela Kuti

I don't listen to their songs

Most of musical lyrics of artists today don't make any meaningful meanings to me.

Yoyoba man. The only achievement of this one na to be Fela pikin smh

alphonsojidebab:
Seun Kuti, Afrobeat musician and son of the late legendary icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has criticised repeated comparisons between Afrobeats star Wizkid and his father, describing such claims as disrespectful and misleading. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Speaking during a recent Instagram Live session, Seun cautioned members of Wizkid’s fanbase, popularly known as Wizkid FC, against referring to the Grammy-winning singer as a modern-day Fela. According to him, equating any contemporary artiste with the Afrobeat pioneer undermines the originality, impact, and historical significance of Fela’s legacy.

Seun argued that his father’s influence went far beyond music, stressing that Fela’s art was deeply rooted in activism, resistance, and social consciousness—qualities he believes cannot be casually replicated or transferred to another artist.

He expressed frustration over what he described as persistent online disrespect toward Fela, questioning why his father’s name is often dragged into debates involving modern Afrobeats stars. Seun said such comparisons stem from ignorance rather than genuine appreciation of Fela’s contributions to African music and global political discourse.

The Afrobeat singer also blamed extreme fan rivalries for negatively affecting the Nigerian music industry, noting that unnecessary comparisons and online hostility have made collaborations between artistes increasingly difficult.

According to Seun, fans should focus on appreciating their favourite artistes for who they are, rather than attempting to elevate them by placing them alongside cultural icons of a different era and purpose.

He urged Wizkid’s supporters to celebrate the singer’s achievements on their own merit and allow Fela’s legacy to remain respected and undiluted.

The comments have since sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians divided over the long-running debate between Afrobeat heritage and modern Afrobeats stardom.

https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/01/11/its-wrong-to-compare-wizkid-to-fela-seun-kuti-fires-back-at-fans/

They should give Wizkid the guitar to play and the trumpet to blow and the keyboard to play first, (he should also perform live without backup singers and no backup instrumentals) then we can start the talk.

Else, Wizkid is just a Wizkid.


Tinubu till 2031.

Which government trouble as Wizkid ever face in his life..

What is Seun yarning. That no one can surpass your father's achievements or what

datola:
What is Seun yarning. That no one can surpass your father's achievements or what

He didn't say no one. He said Wizkid.

And he didn't say surpass he said don't compare.

Read before comment.

Tinubu till 2031.

The persons that made the comparism na Bandits!!

Is it everything Dem must compare!!!
Fela no only sings lyrics filled with truth..
Nigga get rugged confidence,
If only you imagine the era fela sang his songs, you go believe say, you need get mind....


How wizkid take enter seff

Wizkid can not compare himself with baba Fela,live it or take it. Who be Wizkid

Who was comparing the 2? Who?

Who dey compare "she tell me say" to Fela?

Anybody that compares Baba Fela and wizkid does not know what they are saying.
Baba Fela way de sing during military era.

I don't understand why people have the urge to compare..can't we all enjoy what we like personally and allow what the other person does not like dislike in peace?one mans dood is another mans poison.jeez ..human and comparison ..it sucks .

Fela will always be the greatest. It's not only that he's among the pioneer of afro sounds.

He took it and ran with.

He's among those that laid the foundation for modern music.

It's like comparing modern day scientists with old scientists.

Modern day scientists are easily more knowledgeable and could create more things than scientists of old.

But those old guys did everything without a foundation and that's why they are highly regarded and revered.

helinues:
Go and watch Asake ft Wizkid red bull event. Go and see raw live performance from both . Explain to us if women was mentioned in that powerful song

MMS is Asake ft Wizkid..Asake owned MMS

Most of wizkid songs centred around women, money & sayo

This Genz generation are the most f00...lii......ss generations..
The ones coming after will even be worse. ..
Generations of mob ..
How can you. How dare you ..

Blunt99:
Present day musician only know how to sing about:

- Yansh
- Toto
- Money
- Drugs


These are what sell now in an era where the country is now worse than the times where activism was at its peak.


Huge disrespect comparing these Youthful exubearing vain contemporary musicians to the great Fela who sang with his blood against corrupt military Heads of States and the general babaric state of the nation then.

And fela had no

- Yansh
- Toto
- Money
- Drugs
Sprinkled in his music 😂

There is nothing wrong in comparing Wizkid to Fela. Fela was great in his time, and Wizkid is the rave of the moment right now.

I'm not a fan of either, but saying Wizkid only sings about women, while celebrating Fela is the height of hypocrisy. Fela was a morally bankrupt musician who used his craft to promote nudity and sex.