By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigerian musician Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has criticised members of the Afrobeats community who describe themselves or their favourite artists as the modern-day equivalent of his iconic father.
In a recent Instagram Live session, Seun said comparisons between contemporary stars and Fela undermine the unique legacy of the Afrobeat pioneer.
The Grammy-nominated artist specifically addressed the fan base of superstar Wizkid, known as Wizkid FC, warning them to stop using Fela’s name in debates about who is the current king of Nigerian music.
“Stop calling Wizkid the new Fela,” Seun said, emphasising that his father’s impact on music and culture was much deeper than just chart success or popularity. He argued that invoking Fela’s name to elevate modern artists shows a lack of understanding of what his father stood for, not just as a musician, but as a revolutionary and activist whose influence went far beyond entertainment.
Seun acknowledged that contemporary artists like Wizkid are successful in their own right and should be celebrated for their individual contributions.
However, he insisted that sampling Fela’s work or drawing inspiration from his style does not make anyone “the new Fela.”
His remarks have reignited conversations online about respecting musical heritage versus recognising the evolution of Nigerian music.
Some fans have supported Seun’s call to protect Fela’s legacy, while others say comparisons between generations of artists are natural as Afrobeats gains global recognition.
This exchange comes amid broader debates in the music community about how Afrobeats is defined and how its pioneers are honoured in the era of global streaming and international chart success.
