Manny Ita
The digital rift between the purists of the legendary Afrobeat movement and the fanbases of contemporary Afrobeats has reached a boiling point. In a series of viral, high-energy videos on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Seun Kuti—the Grammy-nominated son of the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti—launched a scathing critique of “Wizkid FC.” He warned the fanbase to stop the “disrespectful and ahistorical” practice of labeling Wizkid as the “New Fela,” arguing that such comparisons are rooted in “complete ignorance.”
The friction was sparked by a social media debate celebrating Wizkid’s recent milestone of 10 billion Spotify streams, with fans claiming the singer has “surpassed” Fela’s global impact. Seun Kuti, who currently leads his father’s Egypt 80 band, fired back, stating that Fela’s work was a revolutionary movement against military oppression and not a corporate product designed for “numbers on an app.” He emphasized that while he respects “defiance,” he has no patience for the ignorance of fans who confuse chart performance with cultural and political liberation.
This clash has reignited a nationwide discussion on the preservation of Nigeria’s musical history. While Wizkid’s supporters point to his unprecedented role as a global cultural ambassador, critics agree with Kuti that the “Black President’s” legacy of activism occupies a lane that pop stardom cannot reach. Wizkid has maintained his trademark silence throughout the trending #FelaVsWizkid debate, even as the conversation shifts from music to the deeper meaning of African identity and resistance.
