Calling Wizkid ‘new Fela’ is disrespectful — Seun Kuti

Seun Kuti, son of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has criticised comparisons between Afrobeats star Wizkid and his father, describing such claims as disrespectful and ignorant.

Speaking during a recent Instagram livestream, the musician warned Wizkid’s fanbase, popularly known as Wizkid FC, to stop drawing parallels between the Grammy-winning singer and the Afrobeat pioneer.

According to Seun Kuti, likening any contemporary artist to Fela diminishes the depth, uniqueness and historical weight of his father’s legacy.

“Wizkid FC should keep Fela’s name out of their mouths,” Kuti said. “Trying to label your artiste as the new Fela is an insult. When it became clear that the shoes were too big to fill, and people like me refused to let it slide, you started reacting.”

He added that while he respects defiance when it is rooted in awareness, the comparisons stem from ignorance rather than genuine cultural understanding.

“I don’t mind disrespect when it comes from defiance, but this one comes from ignorance,” he said.

Kuti also accused some Wizkid fans of repeatedly dragging Fela into online fan wars, arguing that such behaviour has harmed the music industry.

“Why must Fela always be involved in petty debates? Fan rivalries have gone so far that some artistes can no longer collaborate,” he stated.

He went further to describe Wizkid FC as one of the most uninformed fan bases online, urging them to focus on enjoying their favourite artiste’s music without constant comparisons.

“If you truly enjoy your artiste’s music, you won’t need to compare it to something else. The reason you do is because, spiritually, it doesn’t fully satisfy you — even if you pretend it does,” Kuti said.

The comments have since sparked debate on social media, with fans divided over the long-standing comparisons between Afrobeats stars and the late Afrobeat icon.