Seun Kuti And Wizkid’s Fight Over Fela Is Unnecessary – Femi Kuti [Video]

Afrobeat singer Femi Kuti has reacted to the fresh wave of comparisons between today’s Nigerian music stars and his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, saying the debate serves no real purpose.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Femi said he has deliberately avoided commenting on the issue.

He explained that with the serious challenges facing Nigeria, he does not see the need to get involved in celebrity rivalries.

“I’m sure you have seen I’ve not said anything, Fela is our father, I think, I would say, all even the younger artists respect him and I don’t think it was an issue that should have been brought up because he is the template of many things, musically, artistically in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, Fela holds a unique place in Nigeria’s music history and should not be measured against modern artistes.

Femi described his father as a pioneer whose influence shaped the country’s sound and creative direction.

He said, “So Fela should just be put in a section or sector of his own and we just idolise and respect him, He’s our father. I don’t want to go into Seun and Wizkid’s matter because, you know, Seun is my brother, Wizkid is like a son, I just wish it did not arise. Hopefully everybody will calm down very soon.”

He stressed that Fela laid the groundwork for much of what exists in Nigerian music today and should be honoured rather than dragged into comparisons.

While praising the global achievements of Nigerian artistes, especially their growing presence at the Grammy Awards, Femi said the focus should be on unity and progress.

He noted that international recognition is a positive development for Africa and should be celebrated collectively.

“Nigeria has been participating in the Grammys so much these days It’s good for Africa. It’s good for the country. It’s good we’re getting the recognition we deserve.

“So I think we should all be happy for ourselves and we should use all this to build the country, build our music industry, build the nation, come together,” he said.

He, however, warned that Nigeria continues to struggle with serious issues such as tribalism, terrorism and corruption.

Femi Kuti urged Nigerians, especially young people, to pay more attention to governance and nation-building instead of entertainment disputes.

Reflecting on the past, he recalled that even in the 1970s, his father was already speaking out against corruption.

“Look, tribalism is a big issue in the country today, terrorism is a big issue, those are the things we should be, young people, myself, everybody should be focused in.

“How is Nigeria going to be safe?, how are we going to go back? Look, there was a time when you were sick in the seventies, general hospital used to give drugs free.

“Things were moving and Fela was complaining at that time and many of us could not understand what was he talking about? Now it’s so clear to us that, look, this man saw that corruption was killing Nigeria in those days.

“And if we keep on discussing this kind of issues that are not relevant to the general public, I think we are part of the downfall of our nation itself,” he said.

Femi expressed worry that public attention is often diverted to less important matters while the country faces deeper problems.

He said, “If young people don’t start to take the baton into their hands and start to demand for good government, we’re going to be in trouble very soon. Because as you see, Fela spoke, he’s gone. It’s 29 years he has been gone now and we’re still discussing the same issues.”

Femi also pointed out that much of his own music over the past four decades has focused on political and social issues. He said his brother Seun and even his son have followed a similar path, using their music to address national concerns.

He questioned how long artistes would continue to sing about poverty, insecurity and corruption without seeing meaningful change in the country.

“It’s sad that all my life now, 40 years in the business, 90% of my songs are political as well. So, I mean, Seun is doing his thing. Made now, my own son, he has two albums, it’s political.

“How long are we going to be political and there’s still so much poverty in the land? How long are we going to be talking about kidnapping and terrorism and you know, how long?

“When is the country going to come together to really build a nation as it should be?,” he said.

Watch the video below:

The renewed debate began after Wizkid was quoted as saying he was bigger than Fela, a comment that sparked reactions online, particularly involving Seun Kuti.

KanyiDaily recalls that Fela Kuti was nominated for a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which once again highlighted his lasting impact on Nigerian music and younger generations of artistes.