Nigerian Afrobeat star Seun Kuti has stirred conversation online after claiming that fellow musician Wizkid borrowed his nickname. The controversy emerged during a recent livestream when a fan suggested that Kuti consider changing his moniker “Big Bird,” pointing out that Wizkid is also known as “Biggest Bird.”

Responding firmly, Kuti rejected the idea, insisting that he coined the nickname long before Wizkid adopted his version. “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. I am not dragging it with anybody, please,” he stated.

The claim highlights tensions in the music scene over stage names and personal branding, with fans quickly weighing in on social media about originality, respect, and the ongoing rivalry between iconic Nigerian artists.

Kuti, the son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, has long embraced the nickname as part of his public persona, and his remarks suggest he is unwilling to relinquish it despite Wizkid’s global fame.

The dispute has ignited online debates about name rights in the entertainment industry, with supporters of both artists expressing strong opinions on who has the “first claim” to the title.