Yeni Kuti, daughter of the legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has spoken out against comparing her late father to today’s artists, calling such debates misplaced and disrespectful.
In an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Yeni stressed that Fela’s enduring influence nearly three decades after his passing speaks volumes about his unmatched legacy. She urged fans and musicians alike to focus on contemporary peers instead of dragging cultural icons into rivalry discussions.
“Don’t compare chalk and cheese. Fela is a legend. Give him his flowers,” she said. “He’s done his part, and the fact that we are still talking about him 29 years after his death shows that. Comparing yourself to someone who’s been gone this long isn’t fair. Focus on your peers, and leave the legends alone.”
Yeni’s remarks come amid renewed discussions about Fela’s monumental impact following his historic recognition by the Recording Academy. He was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Special Merit Awards in Los Angeles on January 31. His children—Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa, and Femi Kuti—accepted the award on his behalf, cementing his status as a timeless figure in music history.
The statements highlight the importance of respecting cultural icons while celebrating the growth and achievements of today’s artists on their own terms.
