Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti has expressed disappointment over renewed debates comparing contemporary Nigerian music stars with his late father, legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, describing the discussion as unnecessary and distracting.
Femi made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television, excerpts of which were shared on X on Saturday, stressing that he would not be drawn into celebrity rivalry at a time when Nigeria faces far more pressing national challenges.
“Fela is our father,” he said. “All the younger artistes respect him. I don’t think it was an issue that should have been brought up because he is the template of many things musically and artistically in Nigeria.”
According to Femi, Fela should never be placed in competition with present-day artistes, as his legacy forms the foundation of Nigeria’s modern music industry.
“So Fela should be put in a section of his own. We should idolise and respect him. He’s our father,” he said. “I don’t want to go into Seun and Wizkid’s matter. Seun is my brother, Wizkid is like a son. I just wish it did not arise.”
While acknowledging the global success of today’s Afrobeat stars and Nigeria’s growing presence at the Grammy Awards, Femi said such achievements should inspire unity rather than rivalry.
“It’s good for Africa, good for the country, good that we’re getting the recognition we deserve,” he said. “We should use all this to build the country, build our music industry and come together.”
Femi, however, lamented that Nigeria continues to struggle with deep-rooted issues such as tribalism, terrorism and corruption, urging Nigerians—especially young people—to prioritise governance and national development.
“Those are the things we should be focused on,” he said, recalling how Fela warned about corruption decades ago. “Back then, many of us didn’t understand him. Now it’s clear that corruption was killing Nigeria even then.”
Reflecting on his father’s activism, Femi noted that many of the problems Fela sang about remain unresolved nearly three decades after his death.
“If young people don’t take the baton and demand good governance, we’re going to be in serious trouble,” he warned. “Fela has been gone for 29 years, and we’re still talking about the same issues.”
He added that political themes continue to dominate his music and that of his family, questioning how long artistes would continue addressing the same societal problems without real change.
“For 40 years in music, about 90 per cent of my songs are political. Seun’s music is political. Even my son’s music is political,” he said. “How long are we going to keep talking about poverty, kidnapping and terrorism before we truly build a nation?”
The debate was reignited after Afrobeat star Wizkid was quoted as saying he was bigger than Fela, a remark that sparked widespread reactions online, including from Seun Kuti.
The conversation gained further momentum following the nomination of the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti for a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, once again highlighting his enduring influence on Nigerian music and generations of artistes.
