Lagos, Nigeria—Grammy-nominated Afrobeat musician Femi Anikulapo-Kuti has weighed in on the recent controversy comparing his late father, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, to Afrobeats star Wizkid, describing the debate as unnecessary and distracting.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Femi said he intentionally refrained from engaging in the online exchanges, noting that Nigeria faces far more pressing social and political challenges than celebrity comparisons.
“I don’t think it’s an issue that should have been brought up,” he said. “Fela is our father, and I would say all the younger artists respect him. He is the template of many things musically and artistically in Nigeria.”
The controversy erupted following heated social media debates over Fela’s legacy and whether contemporary Afrobeats stars should be likened to him. The discussions intensified after Seun Kuti, Fela’s youngest son, openly criticized attempts by fans of Wizkid—popularly known as “FC”—to portray the singer as the “new Fela.”
During a live Instagram session, Seun accused some Wizkid supporters of repeatedly invoking his father’s name in online music arguments. He argued that such comparisons diminish the cultural, musical, and political impact Fela built over decades, emphasizing that his legacy extended beyond music into activism and resistance.
Seun also clarified that his criticism was directed at fan culture rather than Wizkid personally. However, the exchange escalated after Wizkid posted a video criticizing Seun’s conduct and later made direct remarks aimed at him on Instagram.
In response, Seun referenced corporate tributes and institutional investments made to preserve Fela’s legacy, stating that millions of naira had been spent in recognition of his father’s enduring influence.
Reacting to the situation, Femi Kuti reiterated that comparisons involving Fela should never have arisen, stressing that the Afrobeat icon’s legacy stands independently and does not require validation through contemporary music debates.
