Seun Kuti Slams Wizkid Fans Over “New Fela” Claims

Renowned musician Seun Kuti has ignited a fresh debate on Nigerian social media after strongly criticizing fans of Wizkid for repeatedly labeling the Grammy-winning superstar as the “new Fela.”

The heated exchange, which quickly trended on X (formerly Twitter), has reopened conversations around legacy, originality, and the evolution of Afrobeats.

Seun Kuti, who currently leads Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s Egypt 80 band, accused members of Wizkid FC of being disrespectful to his late father’s legacy.

According to him, comparing Wizkid to Fela or suggesting that the singer has inherited Fela’s revolutionary image diminishes the cultural, political, and ideological foundations on which Afrobeat was built. He urged fans to celebrate Wizkid’s success without dragging Fela’s name into modern pop culture debates.

In response, Wizkid’s supporters pushed back aggressively online. Some fans argued that Wizkid has surpassed Fela in terms of global reach, commercial success, international awards, and mainstream influence, citing sold-out world tours and Grammy recognition.

Others maintained that the comparison is outdated and unnecessary, noting that both artists represent entirely different eras and purposes within African music.

This clash highlights a long-standing tension between Fela’s revolutionary Afrobeat legacy, rooted in activism and resistance, and the commercial dominance of contemporary Afrobeats, which is more focused on global appeal and chart performance.

While Fela used music as a weapon against oppression, modern stars like Wizkid are seen as cultural ambassadors reshaping Africa’s image on the world stage.

As the debate continues to trend, many observers agree on one point: Wizkid and Fela occupy different lanes, and appreciating both does not require erasing or rewriting history.

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