Seun Kuti has sparked fresh drama in Nigeria’s music scene after blasting Wizkid FC in a fiery rant. Fans had been drawing parallels between Wizkid and Seun’s late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
But the youngest son of the Afrobeat pioneer wasn’t having any of it. He called the comparisons an outright insult.
The crux of his outburst boils down to legacy versus modern fame. Fela pioneered Afrobeat in the 1970s. He fused jazz, highlife, and funk with sharp political commentary. Wizkid, born Ayo Balogun, rose in the 2010s. He blends Afrobeats with pop and R&B.
However, Seun argues that comparing modern pop success to Fela’s revolutionary struggle is an insult to the Afrobeat pioneer’s legacy. The renowned singer and band leader believes fans use Fela’s image to validate their favourite artist without understanding the political depth behind the original sound.
The Viral Outburst: Seun’s Fiery Rant
Seun Kuti
Seun Kuti, in his characteristic style, addressed the camera while seated and shirtless, a common sight in his video addresses. The viral clip spanning over five minutes quickly went viral, capturing his raw frustration and heated tone as he gesticulated passionately to criticize Wizkid FC directly.
”Wizkid FC keep Fela’s name out of your mouths,” he started. He accused fans of stealing Fela’s image. “”You try to claim your fake artiste is the new Fela,” Seun said in the viral video, calling this a massive insult. He explained that Fela’s shoes are too big to fill.
Seun dove deeper into respect. “You people have no respect,” he said. He repeated the point telling Wizkid’s fans, “Your lack of respect came from a place of ignorance.” Then he hammered home.
”I think Wizkid FC is the most ignorant fanbase in the world. I’ve not seen any group of people more ignorant than you co**s*****s.”
Seun continued addressing Wizkid’s fans head-on. He questioned their motives saying, “Why must you always involve Fela in your petty discussions? Can’t you enjoy their music without comparing it to something else?” Seun got philosophical about the need to compare shows spiritual emptiness. Seun Kuti concluded his recent address by stressing the root cause of the disrespect.
He explicitly linked the fans’ behavior to “complete ignorance” of Fela’s life, struggle, and the true meaning of Afrobeat, not merely the music itself. This outburst mirrored a highly public 2021 clash that erupted after Wizkid sold out London’s O2 Arena.
Seun Kuti sparked a major controversy by claiming that Wizkid’s Grammy win for “Brown Skin Girl” belonged solely to Beyoncé and that Wizkid himself was not a true Grammy winner. This claim became a central point of tension during the broader music debates that year, including those surrounding Wizkid’s historic three-day residency at London’s O2 Arena. After his fans aggressively “dragged” Seun Kuti online, Wizkid offered a subtle but widely discussed response, telling Kuti to “get the sax and make some music” while apologizing on behalf of his fans for their behavior.
Wizkid FC Reacts to Seun Kuti’s fiery rant
Wizkid FC, one of the most resilient fan armies in Nigerian pop culture reacted to Seun Kuti’s callout in lightening quick fashion. Some defended Wizkid while others mocked Seun. Here are some reactions from X(formely Twitter):
Beyond the Beef: Wizkid and Fela’s Enduring Comparatives
The sustained comparison between Wizkid and Fela Kuti serves as a primary case study in the evolution of Nigerian music, highlighting the shift from foundational Afrobeat to the contemporary Afrobeats genre.
Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti
Fela Anikulapo Kuti pioneered Afrobeat in the late 1960s by fusing jazz, highlife, and funk with sharp political commentary, producing albums like Zombie (1976), Expensive Shit (1975), Sorrow, Tears and Blood (1977), Coffin for Head of State (1980), Beasts of No Nation (1989), that functioned as anthems against systemic corruption and colonialism. His career was defined by revolutionary activism that led to frequent state persecution and a presidential bid, establishing a legacy rooted in cultural rebellion.
Wizkid emerged in the 2010s with hits like ‘Holla at Your Boy,’ ‘Jaiye Jaiye,’ and ‘Expensive Shit,’ blending Fela’s rhythmic influence with global pop and R&B to achieve unprecedented commercial dominance. While the Grammy winner has cited Fela as a significant inspiration.
