By: Prince Ayobami Sanda Ladigbolu Ph.D

The recent claim by Wizkid that he is greater than Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti emerged at a moment of heightened emotional provocation, largely triggered by exchanges with Seun Kuti, Fela’s son. While such moments are common in the age of digital outrage and celebrity clashes, the statement itself crosses an important cultural and historical line. Fela Kuti’s stature transcends popularity charts, streaming numbers, or contemporary fame.

Even in death, Fela remains larger than life—an enduring symbol of artistic courage, political resistance, and African self-assertion. To compare oneself with such a figure in a dismissive manner is not boldness; it is audacity, and an irritating one at that.

Fela was not merely a musician; he was a movement, a conscience, and a voice for the voiceless. His influence reshaped African music, challenged authoritarian power, and redefined the role of the artist in society. Many musicians—some arguably more technically refined or commercially successful than Wizkid—still fall far below Fela in terms of cultural impact, ideological depth, and historical relevance.

Creativity, in Fela’s case, was inseparable from sacrifice and conviction. That is why ranking him within the narrow metrics of modern pop success is fundamentally flawed.

That said, provocation thrives on reaction. Wizkid should not have allowed himself to be dragged to such a level of rhetorical excess. The statement appears more like an emotional slip than a carefully considered position, and one hopes it will be corrected in the spirit of maturity and respect for cultural heritage. This is important especially when it is glaring that Wizkid adores Fela as an Idol.

At the same time, Seun Kuti bears a responsibility of his own. As the son and symbolic heir of a global legend, restraint is not weakness but wisdom. Public confrontations and online battles risk diminishing, rather than defending, the legacy he represents. A bad defense can unintentionally denigrate a great name. Seun should not become what we call “Ọmọ ọsàn tii kó kùmọ̀ bá ìyá rẹ” in Yorùbá social parlance.

Ultimately, Fela Kuti needs no defense from insults or comparisons. His greatness is a settled history. The real task before contemporary artists is not to compete with his shadow, but to understand it—to recognize that true greatness lies not only in fame, but in courage, depth, and lasting influence.

This piece is not meant to attack Wizkid, it is written to further cement the legendary status and greatness of Fela in Yorùbáland, Nigeria and Africa.