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Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has spoken out amid the ongoing online clash between Grammy-winning singer Wizkid and her brother, Seun Kuti, urging calm, unity, and restraint as tensions continue to simmer.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by TVC Entertainment on Thursday, Yeni explained that she had intentionally stayed away from the heated exchanges because of her close personal relationship with Wizkid. Emphasising her desire for peace, she said she did not want to be drawn into the insults being traded online.
“I love Wizkid a lot. Wizkid is my padi. When two giants fight, it is the grass that suffers,” she said.
Yeni noted that her long-standing friendship with Wizkid made it difficult for her to take sides in the dispute. According to her, engaging in the online back-and-forth would only worsen the situation rather than help resolve it.
“I refuse to enter some of the insults they are hurling because I love Wizkid a lot. He is my small friend. We have come a long way together,” she added.
Reflecting on Wizkid’s journey in the music industry, Yeni recalled knowing the singer before he rose to global fame. She said their shared history made it impossible for her to harbour any resentment toward him.
“I remember when he started at the Shrine. He was a backup singer at the Shrine during the liberation,” she said. “There is no way I can ever not like Wizkid. I like him.”
Speaking directly on the feud, Yeni expressed disappointment that the situation had been allowed to escalate. She suggested that the disagreement could have been resolved earlier if efforts had been made to shut it down promptly.
“I wish at the beginning he had quickly put a stop to it, but he didn’t. Let’s mend fences. We are one people,” she said.
Yeni also warned that the ongoing clash could have broader implications beyond the individuals involved. She stressed that the timing was particularly sensitive, as the Kuti family prepares to honour Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s legacy on a global stage.
“We are just about to go and celebrate our icon at the Grammy and you are all doing this as if you are trying to dirty something,” she remarked. “It is not Fela or the Fela family you are trying to dirty. It is Nigeria.”
Drawing comparisons with other global music icons, Yeni questioned why Fela’s legacy continues to be dragged into contemporary disputes. She pointed out that the late Afrobeat pioneer’s influence remains unmatched and deserving of respect.
“You don’t see Bob Marley people doing that. Whichever way you look at it, he started a genre of music. He is an icon. If you have a problem, why are you attacking him? He has done his own. He has gone,” she said.
Yeni further highlighted her father’s enduring impact, noting that decades after his death, Fela’s name still resonates worldwide.
“Fela has been dead for 27 years, and people are still mentioning his name. That is the answer to his greatness,” she stated.
She concluded by urging those involved in the controversy, as well as online critics, to show restraint and channel their energy toward addressing present-day challenges rather than attacking figures who have already cemented their place in history.
The feud began earlier in the week following Wizkid’s reaction to an online confrontation between his fanbase, Wizkid FC, and Seun Kuti. The dispute intensified after Seun accused Wizkid’s supporters of disrespecting Fela’s legacy by comparing the late Afrobeat icon to the contemporary music star, a comparison that sparked widespread debate and backlash across social media platforms.
Watch her speak below…
“I love Wizkid a lot, he’s my friend. I wish at the beginning he’d put a stop to it. We’re just about to celebrate our icon at the Grammy and you’re all fighting. You don’t see Bob Marley people do this.”
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) January 22, 2026
— Fela Kuti’s daughter, Yeni Kuti speaks about Wizkid & Seun Kuti beef. pic.twitter.com/5USyxhK9z3
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