Wizkid’s Bold Claim Ignites Firestorm: Is He Really ‘Bigger’ Than Fela Kuti?

In the ever-evolving landscape of Nigerian music, where historical legacies meet modern global stardom, a single social media exchange has reignited a profound debate regarding influence, respect, and the true definition of a musical heir. On January 21, 2026, the digital space became a battlefield of perspectives following a viral clip of the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The footage, showcasing Fela’s electrifying fusion of rhythmic mastery and human rights advocacy, served as a catalyst for a broader discussion on the evolution of the Afrobeat genre.

The controversy stems from a fundamental disagreement over the “modern-day Fela” moniker. Seun Kuti, a steward of his father’s immense legacy, recently dismissed the comparison of contemporary artists to Fela as a potential oversight of the elder Kuti’s revolutionary contributions.

Fela Kuti, who passed away in 1997, established Afrobeat not merely as a genre, but as a vessel for political defiance. Through seminal works like “Zombie” and “Sorrow, Tears and Blood,” he challenged systemic oppression at great personal cost. For the Kuti estate, Fela’s identity as an activist is inseparable from his identity as a musician.

In a assertive response to these critiques, Wizkid (Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun) emphasized his own unprecedented stature in the modern era. He argued that his achievements have reached heights previously unseen in the Nigerian music industry. Wizkid’s career trajectory is undeniable. From the streets of Lagos to global chart dominance with hits like “Essence”—the first Nigerian song to earn a diamond certification in the US—he has successfully commercialized and exported “Afrobeats” (the pop-infused evolution of Fela’s sound) to every corner of the globe.

For industry stakeholders, this debate highlights a critical generational rift. Fela’s era was defined by revolution; Wizkid’s era is defined by globalization.

 * The Purist Perspective: Critics argue that music centered primarily on luxury and lifestyle lacks the “activist edge” that made Nigerian music a tool for liberation.

 * The Progressive Perspective: Supporters maintain that Wizkid has “moved the culture forward,” creating a billion-dollar export that provides a platform for thousands of young African creatives.

As the discourse continues, it is clear that greatness is being measured by two different scales. While Wizkid has arguably surpassed previous generations in commercial reach and technical visibility, Fela Kuti remains the benchmark for cultural and political depth.

The controversy serves as a reminder to the music industry—from executives to artists—that innovation does not require the erasure of history. Wizkid’s global success is built upon the foundation Fela laid; one provided the courage to speak, and the other provided the platform to be heard by the entire world. In the end, true greatness may not be a competition of “who is bigger,” but an acknowledgment of how each artist served their specific era.