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| Image: Facebook |
Kunle Kuti, one of the sons of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has spoken openly about the widely discussed clash between music star Wizkid and his younger brother, Seun Kuti, describing the situation as painful and unnecessary.
The controversy, which dominated social media for weeks, began when Seun Kuti publicly criticised Wizkid’s fanbase for repeatedly comparing the Grammy-winning singer to his late father. Seun argued that branding any contemporary artiste as the “new Fela” diminished the depth, ideology, and historical impact of the Afrobeat legend, whose music and activism shaped generations.
What started as a criticism of fan behaviour soon escalated into a personal exchange. Wizkid responded with a series of strongly worded posts directed at Seun, some of which included insults. In the heat of the online back-and-forth, the singer also declared himself greater than Fela, a statement that further fuelled outrage and intensified the debate across digital platforms.
The episode sharply divided opinions among fans, music lovers, and cultural commentators, with some defending Wizkid’s accomplishments in modern music, while others condemned the remarks as disrespectful to Fela’s enduring legacy.
Addressing the issue on a recent episode of TheCable’s Our Two Kobo podcast, Kunle Kuti made it clear that he does not support any form of comparison between Wizkid and his father. According to him, both figures exist in entirely different contexts and should be appreciated on their own terms.
“I do not want anybody to compare them, it is two different things,” Kunle said during the podcast.
He explained that Fela and Wizkid represent distinct eras, missions, and artistic purposes, adding that placing them side by side does not do justice to either of them. While Fela’s music was deeply rooted in political activism and social resistance, Wizkid’s career has largely focused on globalising Afrobeats and redefining African pop music for international audiences.
Beyond rejecting the comparisons, Kunle admitted that the public fallout left him emotionally affected, especially because of the admiration he has always had for Wizkid.
“That is what I am saying, I was heartbroken. What is this going on?” he said, expressing disappointment at how the situation unfolded.
Kunle went on to reveal just how highly he regards the singer, noting that Wizkid holds a unique place among artistes he admires. According to him, Wizkid is the only musician he has ever made a deliberate effort to meet.
“Wizkid is the only artiste that I have kind of begged people that I want to meet in my life,” he said.
He added that he had even reached out to veteran music executive Sunday Are in an attempt to make the meeting happen, a move he said underscores the depth of his respect for the singer.
“Even Sunday Are; I have begged him that I want to meet this guy, to show you how much I love him,” Kunle stated.
In a striking revelation, Kunle also referenced Wizkid’s tattoo of Fela, describing it as a powerful symbol of admiration. He noted that despite being Fela’s biological children, none of them bear their father’s image as a tattoo.
“For the fact that he has Fela’s tattoo. We his kids do not even have his tattoo on our bodies,” he said.
Kunle’s comments add a more personal and reflective perspective to the ongoing discourse, emphasising respect, context, and emotional restraint. While acknowledging Wizkid’s influence and success, he maintained that Fela’s legacy stands on its own, and comparisons only risk creating unnecessary conflict rather than meaningful appreciation.
Watch him speak below…
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#Wizkid
#FelaKuti
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