Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has sparked widespread debate online after strongly criticising fans of Nigerian pop star Wizkid over repeated comparisons to his late father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
The outburst came on Saturday, January 10, 2026, when Seun Kuti addressed the issue in a viral Instagram video, reacting to social media arguments positioning Wizkid as a modern equivalent or superior to the Afrobeat pioneer.
In the clip, which circulated widely across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, Seun accused Wizkid’s fanbase of disrespecting Fela’s legacy and misunderstanding the political and cultural foundations of Afrobeat.
“Wizkid fc needs to keep Fela’s name out of their mouth. You people try to steal the man image. You try to claim your fake artiste is the new Fela. It’s an insult to Fela to call Wizkid the new Fela. Wizkid fc are the most !gn0 rãnt fanbase in the world,” he said.
The singer further questioned why Fela’s name frequently appears in fan debates, insisting that modern commercial success should not be equated with historical impact.
“You people have no respect,” Seun added. “Your lack of respect came from a place of ignorance.”
Taking his criticism further, Seun declared, “I think Wizkid FC is the most ignorant fanbase in the world.” He argued that fans who constantly compare artists do so because they are spiritually unfulfilled by the music they claim to enjoy.
“Concentrate on your artiste. The reason why Wizkid fc can’t enjoy Wizkid song is because his music doesn’t fulfill their spirit. You pretend his music is sweet but you’re not satisfied. That’s why you look for artistes to drag. Wizkid fc are empty,” he said.
Seun Kuti linked the controversy to a broader misunderstanding of Fela Kuti’s life, noting that Afrobeat was not just a sound but a political movement rooted in resistance, activism, and cultural rebellion.
The comments have drawn mixed reactions from Wizkid’s fanbase, popularly known as Wizkid FC, with some dismissing Seun’s remarks while others doubled down on claims that Wizkid’s global reach surpasses Fela’s influence.
One user wrote, “Nobody calls Wizkid the new Fela, Wizkid is Wizkid… No disrespect to Fela but Wizkid is greater,” while another tweeted, “Wizkid is bigger than Fela.”
The latest clash echoes earlier tensions between Seun Kuti and Wizkid’s supporters, particularly after Wizkid’s historic sold out performances at London’s O2 Arena and his Grammy recognition for Brown Skin Girl in 2021, an award Seun previously argued belonged solely to Beyoncé.
While Wizkid has often cited Fela Kuti as an inspiration, Seun maintains that commercial success and cultural invention occupy fundamentally different historical spaces, insisting that Fela’s role as the creator of Afrobeat and a political icon remains unmatched.
The renewed controversy highlights an enduring generational debate in Nigerian music, between revolutionary legacy and modern global stardom, one that continues to divide fans across social media.
Ademide Adebayo
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