2Baba (Innocent Idibia) has weighed in on the controversial comparisons between Wizkid and Fela Kuti, saying that Wizkid should not be compared to Fela, not because Wizkid isn’t huge, but because they’re giants in completely different lanes.
The veteran music star called the idea of comparing the two artists “ridiculous” and disrespectful to Fela Kuti’s legacy, given Fela’s pioneering role in Afrobeat and his huge cultural impact.
Fela wasn’t just a musician, he was a movement. Political resistance, cultural revolution, personal risk, arrests, exile and much more. His impact reshaped African music and activism.
2Baba stressed that Fela had a cross-generational impact, provided social commentary and had a catalogue that shaped modern Nigerian pop music.
His comments have come amid wider debate after Wizkid’s fan base and others online began likening him to the late Afrobeat legend, a comparison that has drawn criticism from parts of Fela’s family and from music figures.
Wizkid is a global pop icon who dominates the afrobeats chats, he has also produced massive hits. He is a major star in his own right but in a very different era and musical context.
Critics and admirers admit that both musicians deserve to be appreciated for their individual contributions rather than being directly compared to validate greatness.
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