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Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, has weighed in on the ongoing debate comparing Nigerian music star Wizkid to late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, insisting that such comparisons are misplaced.
Daddy Freeze stated that Wizkid, despite his global success and influence in contemporary Afrobeats, cannot be measured against Fela, whose impact extended far beyond music.
According to him, Fela was not only an iconic musician but also a fearless activist, social critic and freedom fighter who challenged oppressive systems and paid a heavy personal price for his beliefs.
Speaking in a video broadcast shared online, Daddy Freeze stressed that Fela’s legacy was built on more than hit songs or international recognition.
He explained that the late Afrobeat pioneer used his music as a weapon against injustice, corruption and military oppression in Nigeria, often putting his life and freedom on the line.
“Until Wizkid is ready to stand up and stone government, he shouldn’t compare himself to Fela,” Daddy Freeze said. “Did you know that Fela was released from prison just to prevent him from dying there? They released him to go and die at his home because they knew his death would spark an uproar if he died in prison.”
He recalled how deeply Fela’s activism shook the Nigerian establishment, noting that the singer’s arrests, harassment and imprisonment were direct consequences of his outspoken criticism of those in power. Daddy Freeze added that Fela’s influence was so significant that authorities feared the reaction of Nigerians if he died while in custody.
Reflecting on the period, Daddy Freeze said, “That was 1995. I was a fresher in the university then. Fela was not a troublemaker; he was a freedom fighter.”
The media personality emphasised that any discussion about Fela must go beyond music charts and commercial success. According to him, Fela’s art and activism were inseparable, as his songs were deeply rooted in his fight for civil rights, social justice and the liberation of oppressed Nigerians.
“We are talking about music, but I cannot talk about Fela if I don’t talk about everything he stood for,” he said. “His activism and music went hand-in-glove. You can’t separate the two.”
Daddy Freeze’s comments come amid renewed controversy surrounding comparisons between modern Afrobeats stars and Fela, especially following recent statements credited to Wizkid during a heated exchange involving Fela’s family.
The debate has divided fans, with some arguing that today’s artistes have surpassed Fela musically on the global stage, while others insist that Fela’s cultural and political influence remains unmatched.
While acknowledging Wizkid’s achievements and international acclaim, Daddy Freeze maintained that greatness should not be measured by fame alone.
He concluded that until modern artistes combine artistic excellence with the kind of courage, sacrifice and activism that defined Fela’s life, comparisons with the Afrobeat pioneer would remain unfair and incomplete.
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