Afrobeat musician and activist Seun Kuti has publicly cautioned fans of Nigerian pop star Wizkid, popularly known as Wizkid FC, to stop invoking the name of his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, in online music debates.
In a strongly worded Instagram video shared on Saturday, Seun expressed displeasure over what he described as repeated and disrespectful references to Fela during arguments comparing contemporary artistes.
According to him, attempts to label modern musicians as a “new Fela” reveal a poor understanding of the Afrobeat pioneer’s legacy.
“Why is it so difficult for you people to have conversations about your favourite artiste without mentioning my father?” Seun asked. “Keep Fela’s name out of your mouths.”
He argued that such comparisons often collapse when fans realise the historical, cultural, and political weight attached to Fela’s music cannot be easily replicated.
“You try to claim someone is the new Fela, and when you realise that the shoes are too big to fill, you turn around,” he said. “That kind of disrespect does not come from defiance; it comes from ignorance.”
The singer also criticised what he described as toxic fan culture, blaming it for fuelling unnecessary rivalry within Nigeria’s music industry. He suggested that genuine art should inspire reflection rather than constant online battles.
“If the music truly fulfilled your spirit, you would not need all this extra drama around it,” Seun stated, adding that impactful art should bring calm, not chaos.
Recalling previous clashes with Wizkid’s fan base, Seun noted that he had refused to back down in the past and would continue to defend his father’s legacy whenever it was dragged into fan wars.
He stressed that Fela’s contributions to music and activism were not open to debate, pointing out that the Kuti family had consistently supported the Nigerian music community through initiatives such as Felabration.
Seun concluded by urging fans to show restraint and allow the late Afrobeat legend to “rest,” insisting that his name should no longer be used as a tool for online rivalries.
