Seun Kuti, the Grammy-nominated Afrobeat musician and son of legendary pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has issued a stern warning to contemporary Afrobeats artistes: sampling his father's iconic music does not make you the "new Fela" or place you on the same level as the revolutionary icon.
In a candid discussion on a recent episode of the Hits Don’t Lie podcast (aired ahead of January 16, 2026), Seun made it clear he has no issue with artists sampling Fela’s works in fact, he acknowledged that "a few people have done good samples" but he strongly opposes the frequent comparisons and self-proclaimed titles like "New Fela."
Key quotes from Seun Kuti include:
The comments underscore the ongoing tension between Afrobeat (Fela’s politically charged, jazz-funk rooted genre) and modern Afrobeats (the global pop-influenced sound dominating charts today). Seun emphasized that Fela’s legacy goes far beyond catchy hooks or samples, it encompasses activism, social critique, and cultural revolution that cannot be replicated by commercial success alone.
This isn’t the first time Seun has defended his father’s unparalleled status; earlier in January 2026, he blasted Wizkid fans (Wizkid FC) for similar comparisons during an Instagram livestream, calling them disrespectful and ignorant.
Seun’s remarks have sparked heated online debates, with fans divided between those praising him for protecting Fela’s legacy and others arguing that inspiration and evolution in music naturally invite comparisons.
As Afrobeats continues its worldwide dominance, Seun Kuti’s intervention serves as a powerful reminder: honor the roots, but don’t confuse homage with equivalence.
What do you think — should Afrobeats stars avoid Fela comparisons, or are they fair game in celebrating Nigerian musical heritage? Drop your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more on Nigerian music debates, Fela’s enduring influence, and the latest in Afrobeats.
In a candid discussion on a recent episode of the Hits Don’t Lie podcast (aired ahead of January 16, 2026), Seun made it clear he has no issue with artists sampling Fela’s works in fact, he acknowledged that "a few people have done good samples" but he strongly opposes the frequent comparisons and self-proclaimed titles like "New Fela."
Key quotes from Seun Kuti include:
- “A few people have done good samples of Fela’s music. But the only critique that I have is that sampling Fela’s music doesn’t make you Fela.”
- “So, people should stop saying that they are my dad. That is crazy. It 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.”
The comments underscore the ongoing tension between Afrobeat (Fela’s politically charged, jazz-funk rooted genre) and modern Afrobeats (the global pop-influenced sound dominating charts today). Seun emphasized that Fela’s legacy goes far beyond catchy hooks or samples, it encompasses activism, social critique, and cultural revolution that cannot be replicated by commercial success alone.
This isn’t the first time Seun has defended his father’s unparalleled status; earlier in January 2026, he blasted Wizkid fans (Wizkid FC) for similar comparisons during an Instagram livestream, calling them disrespectful and ignorant.
Seun’s remarks have sparked heated online debates, with fans divided between those praising him for protecting Fela’s legacy and others arguing that inspiration and evolution in music naturally invite comparisons.
As Afrobeats continues its worldwide dominance, Seun Kuti’s intervention serves as a powerful reminder: honor the roots, but don’t confuse homage with equivalence.
What do you think — should Afrobeats stars avoid Fela comparisons, or are they fair game in celebrating Nigerian musical heritage? Drop your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more on Nigerian music debates, Fela’s enduring influence, and the latest in Afrobeats.
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