Afrobeat icon Femi Kuti and son of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has reaffirmed the enduring greatness of his father, describing the late music legend’s influence as unmatched in both sound and cultural activism.
Speaking during a recent interview on Arise News, Femi dismissed attempts to measure Fela’s impact using modern standards, insisting that his father’s contribution to music and social consciousness transcends numbers, charts, or awards.
“For me, Fela is the greatest,” he said.
Femi also expressed confidence that today’s leading Nigerian artistes would not place themselves above Fela, noting that his legacy commands universal respect across generations.
“These artistes—Burna Boy, Davido—I don’t think they would say anything against Fela,” he stated.
Addressing past remarks attributed to Wizkid, Femi Kuti maintained a calm and non-confrontational stance, choosing not to question the singer’s intent or judge the situation.
Describing Wizkid affectionately, he said:
“Wizkid is like a son to me. Maybe he should have cautioned his fanbase. I don’t interfere in people’s lives because I don’t know how they’ll react.”
Femi added that he was uncertain whether Wizkid truly believed the comment or merely reacted emotionally at the time.
“When Wizkid said he was greater than Fela, my question is: did he really feel that way, or was it just the moment? I can’t prejudge him,” he explained.
Emphasising unity and dialogue, Femi stressed that such discussions are best handled privately rather than through public debates.
“If he comes to me, I’ll speak to him like a father. If my brother Seun comes to me, I’ll speak to him like a brother. The family doesn’t need all this,” he said.
Femi Kuti’s remarks come amid renewed debates comparing Fela’s influence with that of contemporary stars. He reiterated that Fela’s music laid the foundation for African cultural activism and redefined what success means for African music globally.
Notably, the 68th Grammy Awards recently honoured **Fela Anikulapo-Kuti with a Lifetime Achievement Award, further cementing his status as one of Africa’s most influential cultural figures.
Watch him speak below
“Wizkid is like a son to me but I can’t call and tell him how to react, if he says he’s bigger than Fela, I know he doesn’t feel that way. You can’t control a fanbase”
— BASITO (@itzbasito) February 2, 2026
- Femi Kuti pic.twitter.com/KA5JKatfKH
