Femi Kuti has expressed sadness over the renewed comparisons between contemporary Nigerian musicians and his late father, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, describing the debate as unnecessary and unhelpful.
Femi stated this during an interview on Arise TV, shared on X on Saturday, stressing that he would not be drawn into celebrity rivalry discussions at a time when Nigeria is grappling with more pressing national challenges.
He said, “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 and artistically, in Nigeria.”
According to him, Fela should not be placed in the same category as present-day artists, noting that his late father remains the foundation upon which Nigeria’s modern music industry was built.
He said, “So Fela should just be put in a section or sector of his own, and we just idolize 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, and Wizkid is like a son. I just wish it did not arise. Hopefully everybody will calm down very soon.”
While appreciating the global popularity of contemporary Afrobeat artists, Femi emphasized the need of togetherness and nation-building over competitive narratives.
“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, and come together,” he said.
Femi bemoaned that deep-rooted challenges such as tribalism, terrorism, and corruption continue to plague the country, urging Nigerians, particularly young people, to prioritize governance and national development.
“Look, tribalism is a big issue in the country today, and terrorism is a big issue. Those are the things we, young people, I, and everybody should be focused on.
“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 he was 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 issue that is not relevant to the general public, I think we are part of the downfall of our nation itself,” he said.
Speaking on his father’s activism, Femi noted that many of the problems Fela sang about decades ago remain unresolved, warning that constant focus on irrelevant public debates could worsen the nation’s decline.
He said, “If young people don’t start to take the baton into their hands and start to demand good government, we’re going to be in trouble very soon. Because as you see, Fela spoke, and he’s gone. It’s been 29 years since he has been gone now, and we’re still discussing the same issues.”
Femi also highlighted that political topics continue to dominate his and his family’s music, raising the question of how long artists will discuss the same societal issues without making substantial changes.
“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 when 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.
The controversy resurfaced after Afrobeat sensation Wizkid was quoted as suggesting he was larger than Fela, eliciting strong comments online, particularly from Seun Kuti.
Shortly after, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was nominated for a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, reigniting debate over his lasting impact on Nigerian music and future generations of artists.
