The ongoing debate comparing Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, with afrobeats star, Wizkid, has grown into a heated national conversation, exposing generational differences in how greatness, influence, and legacy are measured.
The controversy gained momentum after Afrobeat musician and son of the late Fela, Seun Kuti, publicly criticised attempts by Wizkid’s fan base, Wizkid FC, to liken the singer to his father. During a live Instagram session, Seun accused the fan base of constantly invoking Fela’s name in online music debates.
According to him, branding Wizkid as the “new Fela” amounted to a disregard for the legacy his father built through decades of music and activism. He said, “Keep Fela’s name out of your mouths. Why must you find a way to bring Fela always into your discussions?”
Seun further criticised what he described as a fan culture dependent on comparison rather than genuine appreciation of artistry. He added, “You know why you cannot enjoy your artiste’s music without comparing it to something else? Because the music does not fulfill your spirits. That’s why you people look for extra drama always around the art.”
The exchange intensified when Wizkid FC questioned Seun’s long standing nickname, Big Bird, insisting Wizkid was now the Biggest Bird. Addressing the issue during a January 14 livestream, Seun maintained that he adopted the name long before Wizkid. He said, “Wizkid stole my name. Tell your fave to be original. Why are you telling me to change my name? Sorry, I can’t change it. This name has been here since. I am the first to come up with it.”
He also accused Wizkid and members of his camp of enjoying the attention generated by the controversy instead of shutting it down. In another outburst, Seun spoke about the benefits he claimed to have received as Fela’s son since the late musician’s death, stating that he recently earned 120,000 dollars. He said, “I recently received about $120,000 simply because I am Fela’s son; it is not my work. My father died over 29 years ago. How many of your fathers from the grave can send you $120,000 from the grave?”
Seun later clarified that his anger was not directed at Wizkid personally but at a fan culture he felt equated noise with relevance and reduced historical figures to online talking points. He challenged Wizkid FC to focus on meaningful impact, a value he said defined his father’s life and music.
Following days of online exchanges, Wizkid broke his silence by sharing a video of a woman reacting to Seun’s outbursts. In the clip, she questioned why Seun’s family had not intervened. She said, “Seun Kuti’s family, is this how you will be looking at this bro until he enters the market because he has been using seven days and seven nights to act insane? You are cursing people’s children that much; you and your father will be unfortunate. If not for Wizkid, do you think anyone would care about your father, or do you think we’re still in 1990? Your father succeeded, yet you’re this miserable? Is it only pant and weed you inherited from him? Wizkid literally has his tattoo on his body. I used to think you were wise. You’re finished!”
Wizkid then made direct posts on his Instagram story aimed at Seun. He wrote, “P***y boy @thenigbirdkuti ok i big pass your papa!!!wetin u one do? Fool at 40!” He added, “@bigbirdkuti I’m Big Wiz everyday bigger than your papa!! Wetin u one do fool?” and concluded with, “Hungry bastard.”
Seun responded by referencing corporate tributes to his father, noting that millions of naira was spent by Ecobank to honour Fela’s legacy. In another post, he wrote, “Just be yourself, short man. You are also great. You go delete now, You no get mind, who is the pussy now beech!!!”
As the exchanges escalated, members of the Kuti family stepped in. Speaking on her TVC talkshow, Fela’s daughter, Yeni, cautioned against the fallout of public feuds involving cultural icons. She said, “When two giants fight, it’s the ground that suffers. In this situation, it’s Nigeria’s reputation that is suffering because we are now seen as a people that do not respect our icons. Whichever way you look at it, he started a genre of music. He’s an icon so if you have a problem, why are you attacking him? He has done his own and he has gone. He has been dead 27 years and we are still mentioning his name; that is the answer to his greatness. Let us respect that.”
She also explained her silence during the controversy, stating, “I refused to respond to some of the insults that they have been hurling, and I love Wizkid a lot. He’s my small friend and we have come a long way together. I remember when he was a backup singer at the shrine during Felabration.”
However, another of Fela’s daughters, Motunrayo, reacted angrily after Wizkid’s claim of being bigger than Fela. In a video, she hurled insults at the singer, saying, “Wizkid is bigger than Fela, Abi. Wizkid, you are also bigger than your father.
That your useless father.
That one wey abandon you and your mama wey don die so. That man, Muniru. Muniru Olátúnjí Balogun.
You see that Muniru Olátúnji, you are also bigger than your useless father. As you are bigger than our own father. Our father Fela is now bigger than your father, Muniru Olátúnji Balogun and your mother, that woman wey d+e throway like cockroach. Yes Fela big pass those two,” she said.
The clash sparked widespread reactions from entertainers, journalists, activists, and fans. Former senator, Shehu Sani, highlighted Fela’s enduring influence, writing on X, “Fela was a symbol of resistance against oppression and injustice. He survived imprisonment, torture and death in the pursuit and the defence of his principles. He planted the seeds of freedom enjoyed by the generations after him. He is incomparable with any artiste living or dead.”
Veteran entertainer, Charly Boy, offered a nuanced view, writing, “Different time, different battle, different kind of greatness. No be who big pass… Na who touch your soul pass.” He added, “If measured by ‘fame and cruise,’ Wizkid leads. If judged by ‘fight and freedom,’ Fela is unparalleled.”
Adding a historical and cultural perspective, veteran journalist and publisher of Encomium Magazine, Kunle Bakare, wrote on Facebook, “Are you talking about Olufela Anikulapo-Kuti? He is on the level of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven. If he had been born in Europe, he would have been so documented and celebrated. Are you talking about one of the best composers, arrangers and performers that ever lived?”
Veteran musician, Wale Thompson, also told Saturday Beats, “Fela was a giant, a legend who used music as a weapon to fight against oppression. Wizkid, on the other hand, is a global superstar who has taken Afrobeats to the world alongside peers like Davido and Burna Boy. Fela’s music was about challenging the system, while Wizkid’s music is more about celebrating African culture and having a good time. Both are valid, but as a matter of fact, they are not on the same level for comparison because Fela Anikulapo-Kuti walked so hard that other musicians could fly, which is why he has been globally celebrated since he died 29 years ago.”
On his part, Jaywon wrote on social media, “Wizkid can never caution FC and that is the problem here. Instead of him doing so, he will rather go through corners or take the fall for their nonsense, and that is why we are here.”
Music journalist, Joey Akan also took a jab at Wizkid, “When Fela got international acclaim he still fought for his people. When you get international acclaim, you denied your people and the music culture that nourished you.”
Defending Wizkid, a fan, Tufab, said, “Who promotes the culture or Lagos more than Wizkid? Only Big Wiz made a global album, ‘Made in Lagos’ documentary… Long live Lagos. Song titles like Ojuelegba… always putting his people on the global map.”
Carter Efe wrote “Na DJ Tunez go later spoil wizkid life. I don talk my own. also one of Burna Bo’s friends, Benny G, gave his two cent on the matter. He wrote “disrespecting Fela Anikulapo Kuti publicly after using ‘felaback’ for decades is such a weird behavior ngl. Wizkid should’ve responded to Seun Kuti only. I’m highly disappointed!” he went on to say, “dear @wizkidayo, I give you 24 hours to erase this tattoo of Fela Anikulapo Kuti off your body, or I’ll have to step in!”
A popular social media personality, Daniel Regha, was of the view that both Wizkid and Seun Kuti were being disrespectful to the legend’s legacy. According to him, “Both should work on themselves and stop disrespecting Fela’s legacy for clout.”
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