Seun Kuti Blasts Wizkid FC Over Fela Comparisons
Afrobeat singer and activist Seun Kuti has issued a stern warning to fans of Grammy-winning artist Wizkid, popularly known as “Wizkid FC,” demanding that they desist from dragging his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, into online supremacy battles.
In a scathing video posted on his Instagram page on Saturday, Seun condemned what he described as “disrespectful” and “ignorant” attempts by the fan base to constantly juxtapose Fela’s legacy with the achievements of modern Afrobeats stars.
Visibly agitated, the leader of the Egypt 80 band argued that the persistent need to compare contemporary artists to the Afrobeat pioneer stems from a place of deep ignorance regarding what Fela stood for.
“Keep Fela’s name out of your (Wizkid FC) mouths. Why must you find a way to bring Fela always into your discussions?” Seun queried.
He ridiculed the narrative often pushed by fans that their favorite artiste is the “new Fela,” noting that such comparisons usually crumble when the weight of Fela’s legacy becomes apparent.
“You try to steal the man. You try to claim that this your artiste is the new Fela. Then, when you people saw that you couldn’t wear those pants, that the shoes were too big to fill, you now turn around.
“If your lack of respect came from a place of defiance, I would respect it. But your lack of respect comes from a place of ignorance. Complete ignorance,” he stated.
Seun also took a swipe at the broader culture of online fandom in the Nigerian music industry, attributing the toxicity to a lack of genuine artistic satisfaction.
He posited that fans who are truly fulfilled by an artist’s work do not need to resort to social media drama to validate it.
“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,” he argued.
The youngest son of the Afrobeat legend insisted that Fela’s legacy is not up for debate or trivial internet wars.
He reminded the fans that the Kuti family has always supported the wider music industry, citing the annual Felabration festival which provides a platform for artistes across all genres.
Seun concluded by reiterating that his father deserves to rest in peace without being used as a pawn in “unnecessary rivalries,” vowing that he would not back down from defending his family’s name against online trolls.
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