Afrobeat icon Femi Kuti has criticised the renewed debate comparing contemporary Nigerian music stars with his late father, legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, describing the discourse as unnecessary and poorly timed given Nigeria’s current hardships.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Femi said he deliberately avoided engaging in the controversy, stressing that celebrity rivalries should not dominate public conversation while the country faces serious social and economic challenges.
According to him, Fela’s legacy should not be subjected to comparison with modern-day artistes, as his influence remains foundational to Nigeria’s music industry. He noted that younger musicians largely hold his father in high regard and that placing him in competition with present-day stars diminishes his historic significance.
Femi emphasised that Fela occupies a unique place in Nigerian music and activism, adding that the late musician should be celebrated independently rather than dragged into debates involving current artistes. He declined to comment directly on the issues involving his brother, Seun Kuti, and singer Wizkid, expressing hope that tensions surrounding the matter would soon subside.
While acknowledging the global achievements of contemporary Afrobeat stars, including their growing presence at international award platforms like the Grammys, Femi said such successes should promote unity and national pride rather than division. He urged Nigerians to channel the positive global attention toward strengthening the music industry and fostering national development.
The musician lamented that long-standing issues such as tribalism, terrorism, insecurity, and corruption continue to hinder progress in the country. He called on young Nigerians to focus their energy on demanding good governance and meaningful reforms instead of engaging in distractions that do not benefit the wider public.
Reflecting on his father’s activism, Femi observed that many of the problems Fela highlighted decades ago remain unresolved. He warned that constant engagement in irrelevant public debates could further accelerate national decline.
He added that political and social themes still dominate his music and that of other members of the Kuti family, questioning how long artistes would continue to sing about poverty, insecurity, and bad governance without seeing tangible change.
The renewed debate followed comments attributed to Wizkid suggesting he had surpassed Fela in influence, a remark that sparked widespread reactions online and drew in Seun Kuti. The conversation gained further traction after Fela was nominated for a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, reigniting discussions about his enduring legacy and influence on Nigeria’s music scene.
