Wizkid vs Fela: ‘I Wish It Never Came Up’ — Femi Kuti Breaks Silence
Grammy-nominated Afrobeat icon Femi Kuti has reacted to the ongoing comparisons between his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and contemporary Afrobeats superstar Wizkid, describing the debate as unnecessary and distracting.
Speaking during a recent interview, Femi Kuti said he wishes the comparison never surfaced, stressing that both artistes belong to entirely different eras with different missions and social realities.
According to him, Fela was not just a musician but a revolutionary figure who used music as a weapon against oppression, military rule and social injustice, often at great personal cost. Wizkid, on the other hand, represents a new generation of Nigerian artistes focused on global success, entertainment, and cultural export.
“I wish it never came up,” Femi said. “Fela’s journey and Wizkid’s journey are not the same. Times have changed, society has changed, and the role of music has evolved.”
He emphasised that comparing the two diminishes their individual contributions, noting that Wizkid has successfully taken Nigerian music to the world in ways that were not possible during Fela’s time, while Fela laid the foundation for Afrobeat as a genre and as a form of political expression.
Femi Kuti urged fans to celebrate both legends for what they uniquely represent rather than pitting them against each other.
“We should appreciate everyone for their own achievements instead of creating unnecessary rivalry,” he added.
The Wizkid-Fela debate has continued to trend on social media, with fans divided over cultural impact, lyrical depth and global influence. However, Femi Kuti’s intervention appears to call for perspective, respect, and a broader appreciation of Nigerian music’s evolution across generations.
