Veteran Nigerian musician Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia has criticised comparisons between Afrobeats star Wizkid and late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, describing them as “ridiculous” and unfair to both artistes.
Speaking on the forthcoming Mic On podcast, 2Baba said placing the two musicians side by side fails to acknowledge the different eras, contexts and purposes that defined their careers.
“Comparing Fela with Wizkid is ridiculous. Apart from the fact that it is disrespectful to Fela, at the same time, it is also unfair to Wizkid,” he said.
The award-winning singer stressed that both artistes should be appreciated on their own merits, arguing that constant comparisons diminish their individual contributions to music and culture.
2Baba’s remarks come amid an ongoing public debate sparked by Seun Kuti, son of the late Afrobeat legend, who recently criticised fans for likening Wizkid to his father.
Seun Kuti has maintained that Fela’s revolutionary music, activism and political influence remain unmatched in Nigerian and African music history, insisting that such comparisons overlook the unique role Fela played in shaping socio-political consciousness through music.
