Seun Kuti urges Afrobeats artists to stop claiming they are the “New Fela,” saying sampling his father’s music doesn’t make them equivalent to the legend

Afrobeats singer Seun Kuti has cautioned fellow artists against comparing themselves to his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, asserting that sampling Fela’s music does not make them his equivalent.

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Speaking on the Hits Don’t Lie podcast, Kuti criticised artists who have labelled themselves the “New Fela,” citing Nigerian stars like Wizkid and Burna Boy who have sampled Fela’s music.

“A few people have done good samples of Fela’s music. But the only critique that I have is that sampling Fela doesn’t make you Fela,” Kuti said.

“So, people should stop saying that they are my dad. That is crazy. It is crazy when people say that they are the ‘New Fela.’ Where is the ‘Bob Marley’? It is only in Nigeria you hear such. We do wild stuff here. People are wild.”

Kuti’s remarks underscore the enduring influence of Fela’s legacy on the Afrobeats industry, while reinforcing the idea that respect for the original icon remains paramount.

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The conversation highlights ongoing debates within the Nigerian music scene about originality, homage, and the weight of Fela Kuti’s cultural contributions.