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Tag: Seun Kuti

  • I wished Wizkid, Seun dispute never happened – Femi Kuti

    I wished Wizkid, Seun dispute never happened – Femi Kuti

    Femi Kuti, son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has expressed regret over comparisons between contemporary artist, Wizkid and his late father.

    In an interview on Arise Television, Femi described the debate as unnecessary and unhelpful, emphasising that Nigeria faces more pressing issues.

    The controversy arose after Wizkid claimed he was “bigger” than Fela, after bein triggered by Seun Kuti. 

    Femi declined to participate, stating Fela’s influence should be respected and not compared to others.

    “Wizkid is like a son to me, and seun is my brother, I just wished the whole thing between them didn’t happen and I really hope everyone would calm down soon. Fela is our father and every artiste respects him”, he said.

    Read Also: Femi Kuti reveals secret of longevity in music industry

    He emphasised Fela’s foundational role in Nigeria’s music industry, saying, “Fela is the template musically and artistically in Nigeria. He should be put in a sector of his own and respected.”

    Femi urged Nigerians to focus on unity and nation-building, leveraging global recognition of Afrobeat to address issues like corruption, insecurity, and tribalism.

    “This recognition is good for Nigeria and Africa. We should use it to build the country, build our music industry, and come together,” he added.

    He noted that many problems Fela sang about decades ago remain unresolved, saying, “For 29 years, he has been gone, yet we are still discussing the same issues.”

  • Fela invented rap music – Seun Kuti

    Fela invented rap music – Seun Kuti

    Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti has asserted that his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the iconic pioneer of Afrobeat, essentially invented rap music as well.

    During an appearance on the Hits Don’t Lie podcast, Seun boldly declared that Fela was the very first person to rap.

    He pointed specifically to the track “Authority Stealing,” where Fela delivered rhythmic, spoken-word-style verses with a political edge long before the genre even had a name.

    Kuti emphasised that at the time of the recording, around the mid-1970s, no one realised this delivery style would later become known as rap.

    “Fela was the first person to rap. He did a bit of rapping on the album ‘Authority Stealing.’ When he did it, we didn’t know it was going to be called ‘Rap,” he said.

  • Seun Kuti denies using Wizkid’s name to revive career

    Seun Kuti denies using Wizkid’s name to revive career

    Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has denied using Wizkid’s name to revive his career, describing the claims as baseless. 

    Kuti has been accused of chasing clout with Wizkid’s name after he repeatedly criticised the Starboy boss and his fans during recent livestreams.

    In a video, Kuti highlighted his achievements, stating that he performed 82 shows globally in the past year, with sold-out concerts in Australia, Europe, America, and Brazil.

    Kuti emphasised his established international presence, questioning the notion that his career needs revival. 

    He likened himself to a Big Bird, stating that the music industry is vast enough for all artists to succeed.

    He said: “Some people are saying I am trying to use Wizkid to revive my career. When did my career die for me to be trying to revive it? Last year alone, I did 82 shows globally.

    “I sold out shows in Australia, Europe, America, and Brazil. I have people who are fans of my music worldwide. I call myself Big Bird because the sky is big for everybody. Because no matter how big you are, you can’t occupy the whole sky.

    “People whose careers need revival know themselves. It is not me.”

  • Seun Kuti, Peter Okoye reconcile after 2023 election feud

    Seun Kuti, Peter Okoye reconcile after 2023 election feud

    Afrobeats singers Seun Kuti and Peter Okoye, aka Mr P, have ended their public feud, making peace after months of disagreements over the 2023 presidential election.

    The disagreement began when Kuti criticised Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, prompting Okoye to respond and sparking a heated exchange on social media.

    Read Also: Sampling Fela music doesn’t make you him – Seun Kuti

    However, the musicians, who clashed on social media, were seen embracing at a Lagos nightclub, with Kuti stating, “We are artistes, we can’t be fighting over politicians,” a sentiment Okoye agreed with.

  • I received $120,000 for being Fela’s son – Seun Kuti ‘

    I received $120,000 for being Fela’s son – Seun Kuti ‘

    Afrobeats singer Seun Kuti has responded to Wizkid fans over the “Big Bird” nickname controversy, saying the name is his and Wizkid should find his own original moniker.

    The beef started when a Wizkid fan asked Seun on his Instagram live, to change his longtime nickname, claiming Wizkid is the “Biggest Bird” and Seun refused, citing he’s used the name longer.

    “Wizkid ‘stole’ my name. Tell your fave to be original. Why are you telling me to change my name? Sorry, I can’t change it. This name has been here since. I am the first to come up with it”, he said.

    Seun also slammed Wizkid’s team, including DJ Tunez, for not addressing comparisons between Wizkid and his late father Fela, stating that they indirectly allow fans drag Fela’s name into music disputes.

    “If I see DJ Tunez again, I’ll confront him because he and his team are enjoying the Wizkid and Fela comparison instead of debunking it. I won’t even hug him,” he said.

    In the video, Seun revealed he recently got $120,000 because he’s Fela’s son, saying his dad’s legacy still brings benefits.

    He said: “I recently received about $120,000 simply because I am Fela’s son; it is not my work. My father has died over 29 years from the grave, and I received it,” adding that his father is still blessing him from the grave.

    Read Also: US suspends immigrant visa processing for Nigeria, 74 others

    “How many of your fathers from the grave can send you $120,000 from the grave? You think you can just open your mouth…No of your fathers has accomplished… You don’t know what it means to be the child of someone who accomplished something”.

    He stressed his criticism isn’t aimed at Wizkid, but at fans disrespecting history.

    “Keep Fela’s name out of your (Wizkid FC) mouths,” he said. “Why must you find a way to bring Fela always into your discussions?”

    Seun challenged Wizkid fans to do something positive, like building a school, instead of online drama.

    “I’ll use four days to drag Wizkid FC. They claim they’re over one million, so let them contribute ₦1,000 each for their fave. That’s ₦1 billion to build a school in Surulere on Wizkid’s behalf. Dragging and disrespect is your power. All they do is insult people. Who raised you?

    “You cannot come together to do something positive in the name of the young man,” he said.

    He also rejects Wizkid being called “New Fela,” saying Fela’s legacy can’t be compared.

  • Calling Wizkid the ‘new’ Fela disrespectful, Seun Kuti blasts fans

    Calling Wizkid the ‘new’ Fela disrespectful, Seun Kuti blasts fans

    Afrobeats singer Seun Kuti has slammed Wizkid’s fans, telling them to stop bringing his late father Fela Kuti’s name into music debates. 

    Kuti, on Instagram live, called out their behavior as disrespectful and ignorant, saying they’re trying to claim modern musicians as “new Fela” despite not understanding his legacy.

    “Keep Fela’s name out of your (Wizkid FC) mouths. Why must you find a way to bring Fela always into your discussions?

    “You try to steal the man. You try to claim that this your artiste is the new Fela. Then, when you people saw that you couldn’t wear those pants, that the shoes were too big to fill, you now turn around.

    “If your lack of respect came from a place of defiance, I would respect it. But your lack of respect comes from a place of ignorance. Complete ignorance,” he said.

    Kuti criticised the fans for fueling unnecessary rivalry in the music industry and urged them to focus on appreciating music instead of provoking conflict. 

    He questioned why they can’t enjoy an artist’s work without comparisons, stating their behavior reflects dissatisfaction rather than genuine passion.

    “You know why you cannot enjoy your artiste’s music without comparing it to something else? Because the music does not fulfill your spirits. That’s why you people look for extra drama always around the art,” he said.

    The singer emphasised that impactful art should inspire reflection and calm, not social media battles. 

    He warned Wizkid’s fans to leave his father’s name out of fan wars, saying Fela’s legacy deserves respect.

    Seun Kuti recalled previous clashes with Wizkid’s fans, stating he won’t back down and his father’s name should be excluded from fan conflicts. 

    He emphasised Fela’s legacy is non-negotiable, stressing his family’s efforts to promote music through Felabration.

  • Why I have never prayed in my life – Seun Kuti

    Why I have never prayed in my life – Seun Kuti

    Afrobeat musician and activist Seun Kuti has declared that he has never prayed in his life, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of prayer.

    In a video, he criticised public displays of worship, describing them as childish and emphasising that true spirituality is reflected in one’s actions and values.

    According to Kuti, being a good person is the essence of prayer, and outward rituals pale in comparison to living a virtuous life.

    “I have never prayed before in my life, I don’t believe it works. All this eye service wey Una dey do, wey Una go go kneel down for ground, dey roll for ground, dey shout, they’re all childishness. Your life is the prayer. What you do with your life is the prayer.”

  • Why stressing my daughter benefits me – Seun Kuti

    Why stressing my daughter benefits me – Seun Kuti

    Singer Seun Kuti has shared his unique perspective on parenting and what he enjoys doing most when he’s at home.

    In an interview with NotJustOk Originals on YouTube, the singer revealed that his favorite place to be is at home because that’s where he gets to “stress” his daughter.

    “Most parents don’t know that why your kids stress you is because you don’t stress them first. Let me give you parenting tips now, these children think that because they are small, they don’t have sense, so they can stress you. ‘You’re just a baby’ quickly reverse it. Be the stress in your child’s life. That’s my most fun thing to do – to just be at home, stress her so she has no time to stress me,” he said.

    Read Also: Odumodublvck’s ‘Industry Machine’ stars Wizkid, Davido, Seun Kuti

    He also added that when he’s not at home, performing on stage gives him a similar sense of control and fulfillment.

    “Other than that, I love being on stage. The stage is also like a place I have full control where I’m also stressing a bunch of people. I take it from the house to the stage. So yeah, that’s me – stresser,” he said.

  • Why I don’t support leaderless protest – Seun Kuti

    Why I don’t support leaderless protest – Seun Kuti

    Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, has cautioned Nigerians against embarking on leaderless protests, insisting such actions could backfire without a political platform to drive sustainable change.

    “I don’t support a leaderless protest,” Kuti said. “The Nepalese just removed the military government about 20 years ago, but with recent protests, they have just brought back the military, and that’s what happens when you revolt without a political platform.”

    The singer, who is the youngest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, stressed that the absence of a committed and vibrant professional class hinders Nigeria’s democratic development.

    “What is missing in Nigeria is the vibrant professional class that has the high-end jobs that are also interested in the development of the country,” he explained.

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates 2Baba at 50, hails music icon’s global impact

    On the role of politicians, Kuti admitted he no longer mixes in political circles. “There are some politicians who are trying their best in the country, but I don’t know any. There must be! I don’t really mix in political circles anymore because there’s nothing there for me,” he said.

    Instead, he described his focus as building an alternative path to power through a different brand of politics. “I’m playing a different politics from the politics that is ruling our country. I am doing the kind of politics that will bring our way to power,” he stated.

  • Afrobeats is a label, not a defined genre – Seun Kuti

    Afrobeats is a label, not a defined genre – Seun Kuti

    Singer Seun Kuti has argued that Afrobeats is more of a label than a distinct genre of music.

    Speaking in a recent interview on The Beat 99.9 FM Lagos, Kuti explained that the term is often used as a broad identifier for music from Africa, rather than a genre with unique characteristics.

    He noted that many Afrobeats artists and executives don’t approach it as a defined genre but instead create eclectic sounds that blend multiple influences.

    According to him, artists frequently switch between styles such as dancehall, Nigerian pop, or Amapiano without being confined to one genre, making Afrobeats more of a catch-all title than a specific musical category.

    Read Also: JeyD: Mevron records’ rising star redefining afrobeats

    Kuti said, “I think Afrobeats is more of a title than a genre. You can see Amapiano is the new Afrobeats. It’s the new title, it’s the new thing in Afrobeats. So, Afrobeats is just a generalisation; it’s just a title to identify something from a particular place [Africa].

    “I don’t think it’s a genre. Even the gatekeepers, the big names, don’t deal with it like a genre; they don’t work it like a genre. They are [Afrobeats] artists that are eclectic in a way that they could do a dancehall track today, do a blue track tomorrow, do a Nigerian pop sound, jump on Amapiano, and whatever is trending. So, I think it’s actually a title,” he stated.