Veteran Nigerian musician Baba Fryo has criticised Afrobeat star Wizkid over his recent claim that he is bigger than the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, a statement that has reignited intense debate within Nigeria’s music community.
The controversy began after Seun Kuti, Fela’s son, publicly rebuked Wizkid’s fans for comparing the contemporary superstar to his father. Seun described such comparisons as “an insult to Fela’s legacy” and urged fans to stop dragging Fela’s name into fan-driven arguments.
Wizkid subsequently responded via his Instagram story, escalating the feud by declaring that he was “bigger than Fela” and mocking Seun Kuti in a series of posts.
“Pu**y boy @thenigbirdkuti ok I big pass your papa!!! Wetin u one do? Fool at 40!” Wizkid wrote.
He added: “@bigbirdkuti I’m Big Wiz, everyday bigger than your papa!! Wetin u one do, fool?” and later described Seun as a “hungry bastard.”
The remarks triggered backlash from several quarters, including Baba Fryo, who expressed disappointment at what he described as a lack of respect for musical legends.
Reacting on social media, Baba Fryo said the comparison between Wizkid and Fela reflected poorly on younger generations.
“I just dey shame for this Gen Z. How can these kids compare a kid to an elder?” he said. “Fela was a great musician, a multi-instrumentalist, a revolutionist.”
He stressed that Fela’s influence went far beyond hit songs, noting that the Afrobeat pioneer was a lifelong musician whose relevance spanned decades.
“He wasn’t just an artiste but a full-time musician, and he remained relevant for over 30 years until the day he died,” Baba Fryo added.
Drawing a cultural comparison, the veteran musician said such comments would be unthinkable in other music cultures.
“A Jamaican artiste would never do such to Bob Marley,” he said. “I dey shame for this youth. Call Gen Zero sense. Mtcheew.”
The ongoing feud has renewed discussions around respect for music pioneers, generational differences in understanding artistic legacy, and how contemporary artists engage with the icons who shaped the industry.
As the debate continues online, many fans and critics have rallied behind Baba Fryo’s stance, arguing that Fela Kuti’s cultural, political, and musical legacy deserves reverence, regardless of the global success achieved by today’s stars.