Yeni Kuti Breaks Silence on Wizkid-Seun Kuti Feud, Calls for Respect and Unity
Yeni Kuti, the eldest child of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has finally spoken out amid the ongoing online clash between her brother, Seun Kuti, and Nigerian superstar Wizkid.
The feud began when Seun Kuti criticized Wizkid’s fanbase, popularly known as Wizkid FC, for comparing the singer’s legacy to that of his late father. The disagreement escalated over several days, with Seun challenging Wizkid to prove his care for his fans, prompting Wizkid to declare, “I’m bigger than your father,” a statement that sparked widespread controversy.
Breaking her silence on the TVC program Your View on Thursday, Yeni Kuti emphasized that she would not get involved in the dispute, citing her close friendship with Wizkid.
“I love Wizkid a lot. You know, Wizkid is my padi now. When two giants fight, it’s the grass that suffers. I refuse to enter some of the insults that they are hauling because I love Wizkid a lot,” Yeni said.
Yeni recounted Wizkid’s long-standing relationship with Fela’s family, recalling how he once performed as a backup singer at the Shrine during Felabration. She urged the public to focus on celebrating Fela’s legacy at this year’s Grammy awards rather than debating who is greater.
“We’re just about to go and celebrate our icon at the Grammy and you’re all doing as if you are trying to dent it. It’s not Fela or Fela family that you are denting, it’s all Nigeria… Fela has been dead for 27 years, and you are still mentioning his name. That’s just answer to his greatness. So let’s just respect that. Fight yourselves you that are alive and leave the man that has done his own and gone.”
Opinion: Respecting Legends While Embracing Modern Icons
Yeni Kuti’s intervention is a timely reminder that celebrating living artists does not require diminishing past icons. Fela Kuti’s contributions to Afrobeat and global culture are monumental and remain untouchable, regardless of contemporary achievements.
While debates on influence and legacy are natural in the music world, dragging the names of legends into conflicts can distract from their enduring impact. Yeni’s perspective emphasizes unity and respect, highlighting that true homage involves honoring the past while supporting present talent.
In an era where social media amplifies disputes instantly, her call for maturity, reconciliation, and celebration over comparison is a lesson for fans and artists alike. After all, respecting the giants who paved the way allows the new generation to rise without erasing history.
The hope now is that this feud inspires conversations about legacy and influence, rather than fueling divisions—a principle both Fela Kuti and Wizkid, in their unique ways, embody in Nigerian music today.
