Grammy-nominated musician Seun Kuti, son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has strongly criticised ongoing attempts by Wizkid fans to portray the Afrobeats star as a modern-day version of his late father.
Seun made the remarks during a recent Instagram livestream, where he cautioned members of Wizkid’s fanbase, popularly known as Wizkid FC, against repeatedly drawing parallels between the “Ojuelegba” singer and the Afrobeat icon.
According to him, such comparisons diminish Fela’s legacy and misrepresent the cultural weight of his work.
Addressing the issue directly, Seun said, “Wizkid FC keep Fela’s name out of your mouths. You try to claim that your fake artist is the new Fela. Then, when you people saw that the shoes were too big to fill and people like me also did not allow you to get away with those insults… It is actually an insult [to compare Wizkid to Fela].”
He went on to describe the comparisons as disrespectful and rooted in a lack of understanding, rather than any meaningful form of rebellion.
“You people have no respect. I like it when people don’t have respect as a form of defiance. If your lack of respect came from a place of defiance, I will respect it. But your lack of respect came from a place of ignorance,” he stated.
Seun further lamented what he described as the negative influence of extreme fan behaviour on the Nigerian music scene, noting that fan rivalries now interfere with artistic collaboration.
“Wizkid fans are online disrespecting Fela again. Why must you always involve Fela in your petty discussions? The overzealousness of some fans has significantly affected the music industry negatively. Some artists can’t even collaborate because of fan rivalries,” he said.
In his closing remarks, the singer questioned the need for constant comparisons, suggesting it reflects deeper dissatisfaction. “I think Wizkid FC is the most ignorant fanbase in the world… You need to stop misbehaving. Concentrate on your artist. Can’t you enjoy their music without comparing it to something else? 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,” Seun concluded.
