In a heated Instagram livestream, Afrobeat musician and activist Seun Kuti issued a stern warning to Wizkid’s fanbase, known as Wizkid FC, demanding they stop comparing the Afrobeats superstar to his father, the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
The son of the Afrobeat pioneer described the comparison as “disrespectful” and a direct “insult” to his father’s enduring global legacy.
“Keep Fela’s Name Out of Your Mouths”
Seun Kuti expressed deep frustration with fans who use Fela’s name to validate modern artists during internet arguments. He argued that the comparison is not only inaccurate but fueled by a lack of historical understanding.
“Wizkid FC keep Fela’s name out of your mouths. You try to claim that your fake artiste is the new Fela. Then when you people saw that the shoes were too big to fill… it is actually an insult [to compare Wizkid to Fela],” Kuti stated.
The Problem with ‘Overzealous’ Fanbases
Seun Kuti went beyond the comparison, critiquing the behavior of modern fanbases and their impact on the Nigerian music industry. He alleged that the intense rivalries cultivated by groups like Wizkid FC have created a toxic environment that stifles creativity.
- Impact on Art: Kuti claimed that fan rivalries have become so severe that some artists are unable to collaborate out of fear of backlash from opposing camps.
- Ignorance vs. Defiance: While Kuti noted he respects “disrespect” when it comes from a place of defiance, he dismissed the fans’ actions as being rooted purely in ignorance.
The ‘Spiritual Fulfillment’ Argument
In a provocative turn, Seun Kuti suggested that the constant need for fans to compare their favorite artists to legends stems from a lack of depth in the modern music itself.
“Do you know why you cannot enjoy your artist’s music without comparing it to something else? It is because the music does not fill your spirit. You can pretend to be enjoying it, but spiritually, you are not satisfied,” he expressed.
A Longstanding Protector of the Legacy
As the leader of the Egypt 80 band, Seun Kuti has long positioned himself as a primary guardian of his father’s musical and political philosophy. This is not the first time he has clashed with the fans of modern Afrobeats stars, often arguing that modern “Afrobeats” (with an ‘s’) lacks the revolutionary political core of his father’s “Afrobeat.”
While Wizkid himself has frequently cited Fela as a major inspiration—even sporting a “Fela” tattoo—the friction between the legend’s family and the “Starboy’s” dedicated following continues to be a recurring theme in the Nigerian entertainment landscape.
Source: Africa Publicity
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