A public feud between Afrobeats star Ayodeji Balogun, known as Wizkid, and Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has drawn widespread reactions from celebrities, activists and commentators, about the legacy of the late music icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
The dispute began last week after members of Wizkid’s fan base, Wizkid FC, described the singer as a “modern-day Fela.” Seun Kuti rejected the comparison, insisting that his father’s influence and sacrifice placed him beyond such rankings. Tensions escalated on Tuesday when Wizkid posted a series of messages on Instagram in defence of his fans, directly attacking Seun Kuti and declaring himself greater than Fela.
The comments triggered backlash across social media and traditional media, with several prominent figures offering differing perspectives.
Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) criticised Wizkid for what he described as disrespect toward a national icon. In a video published on Thursday, January 22, VDM argued that Nigeria often fails to honour its pioneers.
“People you are supposed to idolise and respect are called ‘past glory’ in this country,” he said. He dismissed claims that Wizkid’s Grammy Award places him above Fela, noting that Wizkid won in 2021 as a featured artiste on Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl. “That Grammy was not a solo win,” he said, adding that international stars such as Beyoncé have repeatedly celebrated Fela’s work.
VDM also pointed out that Fela’s 1976 album Zombie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2025 and said the late musician is expected to receive a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award.
Reacting to the controversy, Yeni Kuti, Fela’s eldest daughter, adopted a conciliatory tone during an appearance on Your View on TVC in Lagos on Thursday. She said she would not trade insults with Wizkid, whom she described as a long-time friend of the family.
“I love Wizkid a lot. Wizkid is my padi,” she said. “We have come a long way together. I remember when he was a backup singer at the Shrine during Felabration.” Yeni urged Nigerians to de-escalate the situation and focus on celebrating Fela’s legacy. “It’s not the Fela family you are denting; it’s all Nigeria,” she added.
Former senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central between 2015 and 2019, rejected comparisons between Wizkid and Fela in a post on X. “The greatness of Fela is beyond music and entertainment,” he wrote. “He was a symbol of resistance against oppression and injustice. He survived imprisonment, torture and death in defence of his principles.”
Veteran entertainer and activist Charly Boy also called for calm, urging both sides to stop fuelling fan rivalries. He acknowledged the impact of both artistes but said they belonged to different eras and could not be measured by the same standards.
Actress Shaffy Bello, speaking on the first episode of her podcast What I Know, said some modern Afrobeats stars could be considered legends based on global reach and influence. “International recognition, the money and the power matter,” she said, naming Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido and Asake as artistes who have reached that level.
Media personality Yhemolee (Idowu Adeyemi) placed responsibility on Seun Kuti for engaging with online trolls. In a Snapchat post, he said many Wizkid fans were too young to understand Fela’s history. “Wiz is their GOAT,” he wrote, adding that the exchange had led to unnecessary disrespect toward Fela.
Another media figure, Daddy Freeze (Ifedayo Olarinde), strongly defended Fela’s legacy, warning against reducing it to music alone. “Fela was not a troublemaker; he was a freedom fighter,” he said, recalling Fela’s imprisonment and confrontation with military governments. “His activism and music went hand in glove.”
Music journalist Joey Akan criticised Wizkid, arguing that Fela remained committed to his people even after achieving international recognition. “When Fela got international acclaim, he still fought for his people,” Akan said. “When you got international acclaim, you denied your people and the culture that nourished you.”
