Nigerian music icon 2Baba has weighed in on the ongoing online debate comparing Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti with global Afrobeats star Wizkid, describing the comparison as inappropriate and unnecessary.
Speaking in a clip from an unreleased episode of the Mic On podcast, the “African Queen” singer said the argument neither honours Fela’s legacy nor treats Wizkid fairly.
“It is ridiculous. Apart from the fact that it is disrespectful to Fela, it is also unfair to Wizkid,” he said.
The controversy began weeks ago when Fela’s son, Seun Kuti, criticised Wizkid’s fanbase for making what he considered disrespectful comparisons between the Grammy-winning singer and the late Afrobeat legend. Seun argued that such parallels diminish his father’s historic contributions to music and activism.
Tensions escalated after Wizkid responded to Seun with a series of strongly worded Instagram posts, in which he also claimed superiority over Fela. His remarks triggered widespread reactions and heated discussions across social media platforms.
The exchange quickly polarised fans and commentators, drawing in other members of the Kuti family.
Fela’s daughter, Yeni Kuti, said she chose to stay away from the online exchanges because of their aggressive tone, while Kunle Kuti described the debate as painful and baseless. Femi Kuti also expressed concern, stating that Fela’s legacy should not be dragged into controversy, even as he acknowledged his personal relationship with Wizkid.
The debate continues to spark conversations around respect, legacy, and generational differences in Nigerian music.
