Seun Kuti, Grammy-nominated musician and son of the late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has strongly criticised the comparison of Afrobeats star Wizkid to his father, describing it as an insult to Fela’s legacy.
Seun made the remarks during a recent Instagram livestream where he addressed fans of Wizkid, popularly known as Wizkid FC. He warned them to stop referring to the singer as the “new Fela,” saying such comparisons show a lack of understanding of who Fela was and what he stood for.
According to Seun, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was more than just a musician. He said his father was a revolutionary figure whose music, lifestyle, and activism were deeply tied to political resistance, social justice, and African identity.
“Wizkid FC, keep Fela’s name out of your mouths,” Seun said during the livestream. “You try to claim that your fake artiste is the new Fela. It is actually an insult.”
Seun argued that while Wizkid is a successful and talented artist in his own right, comparing him to Fela is inappropriate because their music, message, and impact are completely different.
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who died in 1997, is widely regarded as the creator of Afrobeat, a genre that blends traditional African rhythms with jazz, funk, and highlife. His music was known for its strong political messages, criticism of military rule, corruption, and oppression in Nigeria.
Beyond music, Fela was also an activist who openly challenged government authority. He suffered arrests, harassment, and physical attacks for his beliefs. His Kalakuta Republic commune was raided by soldiers in 1977, leading to the death of his mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a respected nationalist and women’s rights activist.
Seun said these aspects of his father’s life and work cannot be ignored when making comparisons.
“When you people saw that the shoes were too big to fill and people like me did not allow you to get away with those insults, you became upset,” he said. “You people have no respect.”
He added that while disrespect can sometimes come from a place of defiance, what he sees from some fans is ignorance.
“I like it when people don’t have respect as a form of defiance. But your lack of respect came from a place of ignorance,” he said.
Seun also accused some Wizkid fans of constantly dragging Fela’s name into online arguments and music debates. He said this behaviour has had a negative effect on the music industry, especially on relationships between artists.
“Why must you always involve Fela in your petty discussions?” he asked. “The overzealousness of some fans has significantly affected the music industry negatively. Some artists can’t even collaborate because of fan rivalries.”
Fan rivalries have become common in Nigeria’s music scene, especially on social media, where supporters of major stars often clash over awards, chart positions, and global recognition.
Seun claimed that such rivalries are unhealthy and distract from the music itself. He urged fans to focus on enjoying their favourite artist’s work without constantly comparing it to others.
“Can’t you enjoy your artist’s music without comparing it to something else?” he asked. “Do you know why you cannot enjoy your artist’s music without comparing it to something else? It is because the music does not fill your spirit.”
Seun went further to describe Wizkid FC as “the most ignorant fanbase in the world,” a statement that has since sparked reactions online, with many fans defending the singer and others supporting Seun’s position.
Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, is one of Africa’s biggest music stars. He rose to fame with his 2010 hit song “Holla at Your Boy” and has since gained international recognition, collaborating with global artists and performing on major stages around the world.
His music style, known as Afrobeats, focuses mainly on themes of love, lifestyle, and celebration, and has helped push Nigerian music onto the global stage. However, critics argue that Afrobeats, as a modern genre, is different from Afrobeat, which Fela pioneered and used as a tool for social commentary.
Seun Kuti, who leads Egypt 80, the band once headed by his father, has continued Fela’s Afrobeat tradition with politically charged songs that address issues such as police brutality, corruption, and inequality.
Many music observers say the debate highlights a long-standing misunderstanding between Afrobeat and Afrobeats, two genres that are often confused because of their similar names but differ greatly in purpose and content.
As reactions continue online, Seun maintained that his comments were not an attack on Wizkid as an individual but a defence of his father’s legacy.