A fresh online debate has erupted after actress Shaffy Bello compared the global recognition and wealth of modern Afrobeats stars to the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti—drawing pushback from Fela’s family.
Seun Kuti has cautioned against equating commercial success with Fela’s historic legacy, stressing that his father’s influence was inseparable from political activism and personal sacrifice.
The exchange has widened into a generational argument over what defines greatness: streaming-era “numbers” and global visibility versus enduring cultural and political impact.
Echotitbits Take: This is bigger than fanbase rivalry. It is a live conversation about Nigerian identity, cultural memory, and how modern celebrity is measured. Expect more veterans and cultural commentators to weigh in.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/generations-at-war-as-fela-wizkid-comparison-sparks-cultural-firestorm/ (2026-01-24).
Photo Credit: The Punch
