Seun Kuti, son of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has cautioned Afrobeats artists against comparing themselves to his father, warning that sampling Fela’s music does not equate to matching his legacy.
The Grammy-nominated singer expressed concern over artists who label themselves as the “new Fela” simply because they incorporate elements of his music or draw inspiration from his iconic style.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Hits Don’t Lie podcast, Seun Kuti said, “A few people have done good samples of Fela’s music. But the only critique that I have is that sampling Fela doesn’t make you Fela. So, people should stop saying that they are my dad. That is crazy. It’s crazy when people say that they are the ‘New Fela.’ Where is the ‘Bob Marley’? It is only in Nigeria you hear such. We so wild stuff here. People are wild.”
While Seun supports sampling as a form of musical homage, he stressed that it should not lead to direct comparisons with the late music pioneer.
Several prominent Afrobeats stars, including Wizkid and Burna Boy, have sampled Fela’s music, sparking public discussions about his enduring influence. Meanwhile, street-hop artists such as Bella Shmurda and Portable have controversially referred to themselves as the “New Fela.”
Rapper Olamide also drew attention late last year when he declared Wizkid “the greatest Afrobeats artist after Fela,” a remark that fueled debates on the legacy of Afrobeat and its modern interpretations.
Seun Kuti’s statement underscores the need to respect Fela’s singular contribution to music while acknowledging the new generation of Nigerian artists inspired by his work.
Elijah Adeyemi
