In a refreshing intervention that seeks to lower the temperature in the Nigerian music scene, veteran artist Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia has weighed in on the raging debate comparing global star Wizkid to the legendary Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti. Speaking with his trademark sincerity on a recent episode of the Mic On podcast, the “African Queen” singer dismissed the comparison as “ridiculous” and fundamentally flawed.
2Baba argued that the conversation is a disservice to both artists, as it fails to account for the vastly different eras and cultural landscapes they occupy. To him, the comparison isn’t just a reach; it’s a lack of respect for the unique path each man has carved. “Apart from the fact that it is disrespectful to Fela, at the same time, it is also unfair to Wizkid,” he remarked, suggesting that both icons deserve to be celebrated on their own merits rather than being pitted against one another in an unproductive contest.
The debate, which has dominated social media for weeks, reached a fever pitch following a public fallout between Fela’s son, Seun Kuti, and the “Wizkid FC” fanbase. Seun had previously criticized fans for attempting to liken Wizkid’s commercial success to his father’s revolutionary legacy. The situation escalated further when Wizkid himself waded into the fray, making bold claims about his standing relative to the late legend,a move that polarized opinions among the public and fellow entertainers alike.
2Baba’s comments arrive at a significant moment for the Kuti legacy. Just last month, Fela was posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a milestone that reinforced his status as a cultural and political force whose influence transcends music charts.
By calling for an end to the “ridiculous” comparisons, 2Baba hopes to shift the focus back to where it belongs: the music. He maintains that while Wizkid continues to break boundaries for African music on the global stage, Fela’s role as an activist and architect of a genre remains a singular chapter in history. For 2Baba, the most authentic way to honor Nigeria’s musical heritage is to respect the distinct greatness of every era.
