Afrobeat musician and activist Seun Kuti has responded to a series of personal insults from Grammy Award–winning singer Wizkid, following an online dispute over comparisons between Wizkid and the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
The dispute began last week after members of Wizkid’s fan base, known as Wizkid FC, described the singer as a “modern-day Fela” on social media. The comparison drew strong criticism from Seun Kuti, 43, who said it diminished the historical and political weight of his father’s legacy.
In several videos posted on Instagram, Seun said Fela’s importance could not be measured by popularity or commercial success.
“Fela is not a pop star. Fela was a revolutionary,” Seun said in one video. “You cannot reduce his life’s work to streams, awards, or fan wars. That is careless and insulting.”
Seun repeatedly stated that his criticism was directed at Wizkid FC, not Wizkid personally. He also criticised Wizkid for remaining silent while the debate continued online.
“I am not fighting Wizkid. I am responding to a culture that confuses popularity with greatness,” Seun said during an Instagram Live session. He added that Wizkid’s silence showed “a lack of concern about what his fans are saying in his name.”
The disagreement escalated on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, when Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, responded publicly on Instagram Stories and later on X (formerly Twitter).
Addressing Seun directly, Wizkid wrote on Instagram:
“@bigbirdkuti I’m Big Wiz everyday bigger than your papa!! Wetin u one do fool? Hungry bastard.”
In another post, he added:
“Okay, I big pass your papa. Wetin you wan do? Fool at 40.”
On X, Wizkid contrasted Seun’s activism with his father’s work, writing:
“Fela fight for freedom this fool dey fight for fc! Oloshi omo ale!”
Wizkid also reposted a video of a woman identified as Riri, who criticised Seun in Yoruba and accused him of behaving irrationally online.
“Seun Kuti’s family, is this how you will watch him before he runs mad?” the woman said in the video. “If not for Wizkid, who would still talk about Fela today? Your father was successful, yet you are this bitter.”
She further accused Seun of repeatedly insulting people online, saying, “You have spent seven days and seven nights cursing people’s children. It will not end well.”
Seun responded later on Tuesday with a brief and sarcastic post on Instagram. Sharing a screenshot of Wizkid’s comments, he wrote:
“Just be yourself, short man. You are also great.”
In a follow-up post, Seun suggested that Wizkid would later delete the messages, adding:
“You go delete, you no get mind. Who’s the pussy now?”
Wizkid, 35, is one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful Afrobeats artists, with international collaborations and a Grammy award. Seun Kuti, 43, leads Egypt 80, the band founded by Fela, and is known for combining Afrobeat music with political activism and commentary.
