Grammy-nominated Afrobeat musician and eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Femi Kuti, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding comparisons between singer Wizkid and the late Afrobeat legend.
The debate was sparked after Wizkid claimed he was “bigger” than Fela while responding to criticisms from Seun Kuti and his fans, who opposed likening the Ojuelegba crooner to the Afrobeat icon.
Speaking during an interview with Arise TV via Skype from Los Angeles, Femi Kuti said he regretted that the controversy arose, noting that he maintains good relationships with both Seun Kuti, his younger brother, and Wizkid.
He described the debate as a misplaced priority, stressing that musicians—especially younger artists—should focus more on advocating for better governance rather than engaging in what he called trivial distractions.
According to Femi, Fela’s impact on music and society places him beyond comparison with any other artist.
“Fela is in a league of his own,” he said, adding that the late Afrobeat pioneer should be revered rather than compared. “Fela is our father, and even younger artists respect him. He is the musical and artistic template in Nigeria. He should be put in a category of his own and simply idolized and respected.”
Femi declined to take sides in the Wizkid–Seun Kuti exchange, describing Wizkid as “like a son” to him and reiterating his wish that the issue had never surfaced.
Femi Kuti is currently in Los Angeles, where he is expected to receive his father’s posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony this weekend.
