Fela War
OpenLife Nigeria reports that in the latest and most explosive turn of the long-running feud between Afrobeats superstar Wizkid and the Seun Kuti, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s daughter has delivered a blistering response that has set social media ablaze.
Reacting to the ongoing back-and-forth involving her brother, Seun Kuti, she did not mince words as she defended her family name and legacy, declaring in a
viral statement:
“Wizkid is bigger than Fella Abi. Wizkid, you are also bigger than your father. That your useless father. That one wey abandon you and your mama wey don die so. That man, Muniru.
Muniru Olátúnjí Balogun.
“You see that Muniru Olátúnjí, You are also bigger than your useless father. As you are bigger than our own father.
“Our father Fela is now bigger than your father, Muniru Olátúnjí Balogun and your mother, that woman wey die throway like cockroach. Yes Fela big pass those two”
Her outburst has become the most striking chapter yet in a dispute that began as a celebrity disagreement but has since escalated into a bitter clash of legacy, ego, and ideology.
ORIGIN OF THE WIZKID–SEUN KUTI FEUD
The feud between Seun Kuti and Wizkid traces its genesis to a clash of values, legacy, and perception within Nigeria’s music space, rather than a single isolated insult. It began when Wizkid made remarks interpreted by many as dismissive toward older generations of Nigerian musicians—that celebrated his dominance and global relevance in Afrobeats, a genre whose modern success he represents.
Seun Kuti, a staunch activist and custodian of his father Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s revolutionary Afrobeat legacy, took offense at what he viewed as a lack of respect for the pioneers who laid the cultural, political, and musical foundations that artists like Wizkid now profit from.
To Seun, the issue was not fame or charts, but historical consciousness and gratitude, arguing that Afrobeat was built on resistance and ideology, not just commercial success.
Wizkid’s terse and unapologetic responses, which emphasized present-day influence over past achievements, further deepened the rift, transforming what might have remained a generational debate into a public confrontation symbolizing the broader tension between Afrobeat’s radical origins and its contemporary, globalized evolution.
HOW SEUN KUTI FIRED AT WIZKID
Seun Kuti, never one to shy away from confrontation, addressed Wizkid directly in videos and posts, accusing the Afrobeats star of benefiting from a culture and sound built by earlier generations while showing little respect for those foundations. Seun emphasized that fame and commercial success should not erase history, stressing that Fela’s influence went beyond music into resistance, activism, and African consciousness.
WIZKID’S RESPONSE
Wizkid responded in his trademark blunt and unapologetic style, asserting his dominance in the modern music industry and implying that current relevance matters more than past glory. While he did not issue a lengthy rebuttal, his short, cutting remarks were enough to further inflame the situation and provoke reactions from the Kuti family and their supporters.
FELA’S DAUGHTER JOINS THE FRAY
The feud took a sharper, more personal turn when Seun Kuti’s sister, Yeni Kuti—also a daughter of Fela—stepped in. Her comments, quoted above, shifted the argument from music and legacy to deeply personal territory, invoking family histories and parental figures. Her intervention signaled that the Kuti family views the matter not just as a celebrity spat, but as an attack on their lineage and their father’s enduring stature.
BIOGRAPHY OF FELA ANIKULAPO-KUTI
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was a Nigerian musician, composer, bandleader, and political activist who pioneered Afrobeat—a fusion of traditional African rhythms, jazz, funk, and highlife. Known as much for his fearless criticism of corrupt governments as for his music, Fela became a global symbol of resistance and African pride. His influence continues decades after his death, shaping music, politics, and culture worldwide.
BIOGRAPHY OF SEUN KUTI
Seun Kuti, born Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, is the youngest son of Fela. He is a musician, activist, and bandleader of Egypt 80, his father’s former band. Seun has dedicated his career to preserving Afrobeat’s original spirit while using his platform to speak against injustice, inequality, and neocolonialism.
BIOGRAPHY OF WIZKID
Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, is one of Africa’s most successful contemporary musicians. Rising from Lagos to global stardom, he has played a major role in taking Afrobeats to international audiences. Known for his chart-topping hits and collaborations with global stars, Wizkid represents the modern, commercially dominant face of African pop music.
BIOGRAPHY OF FELA’S DAUGHTER (YENI KUTI)
Yeni Kuti is a media personality, activist, and one of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s daughters. She has long been a custodian of her father’s legacy, serving as a spokesperson for the Kuti family and a prominent voice in discussions about Afrobeat history, culture, and social justice.
What began as a clash of opinions between two prominent musicians has evolved into a deeply personal and symbolic battle between generations of Afrobeat. Wizkid embodies the globalized, commercially driven present of the genre, while the Kuti family stands as guardians of its revolutionary past.
As emotions continue to run high, the feud underscores a larger conversation within African music: how to honor legacy while embracing evolution—without losing respect along the way.
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