Femi Kuti Says Comparing Modern Stars to Fela Is Unnecessary.

 

Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti has criticized the ongoing comparisons between contemporary Nigerian artists and his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, calling the debate unnecessary. 

He said the focus should not be on rivalry but on addressing Nigeria’s bigger problems.

In a recent interview on Arise Television, Femi stated that Fela laid the foundation for Nigeria’s music industry and should not be placed in competition with today’s artistes. 

He explained that his father remains a role model for both older and younger musicians, and public arguments over who is “bigger” are unhelpful. 

Femi also mentioned that he prefers not to get involved in discussions about Seun Kuti or Wizkid, noting that personal respect and family ties make such debates inappropriate.

While acknowledging the global success of Nigeria’s modern Afrobeat stars, Femi said the music industry and the nation would benefit more from unity and progress than from rivalry. 

He noted that Nigerian artists are gaining recognition internationally, including at the Grammys, and urged that these achievements be used to strengthen the country and the music scene.

Femi also spoke about long-standing issues facing Nigeria, including corruption, terrorism, and tribalism. 

He warned that ignoring these problems in favor of celebrity debates could harm the nation further. 

He reflected on his father’s activism, saying Fela raised awareness of corruption decades ago, yet many of the same problems persist.

Political themes remain central in Femi’s music and in his family’s work. 

He questioned how long artists would continue highlighting issues like poverty, insecurity, and governance without seeing real change. 

He stressed that young people should take responsibility for demanding good governance to help the country progress.