Afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti has mentioned he regrets the emergence of comparisons between modern Nigerian stars and his late father, legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, describing the talk as pointless and unhelpful.
Femi made the remarks throughout an interview on Come up Tv, the place he pressured that he wouldn’t take part within the dialogue, insisting that Nigeria faces way more pressing challenges than superstar comparisons.
“I want it by no means got here up. I’m not collaborating in it,” he mentioned.
“The federal government doesn’t even know methods to transfer individuals positively ahead. It’s shameful.”
The controversy resurfaced following claims by Afrobeat star Wizkid that he was larger than Seun Kuti’s father, Fela. Wizkid was quoted as saying, “ I massive cross your papa.”
Shortly after the talk, the late Fela was nominate for a Lifetime Achievement Award on the Grammys, an honour that has renewed conversations round Fela’s affect on the brand new era of singers.
In accordance with Femi, his father shouldn’t be positioned in competitors with right now’s artistes, noting that Fela stays the inspiration upon which Nigeria’s music trade was constructed.
“Fela is the template musically and artistically in Nigeria. He needs to be put in a sector of his personal and revered,” he mentioned.
Whereas acknowledging the worldwide success of latest Afrobeat artistes, Femi mentioned the main target needs to be on unity and nation constructing somewhat than rivalry narratives.
He additional lamented Nigeria’s gradual political and social progress, mentioning that most of the points Fela sang about a long time in the past stay unresolved.
“For 29 years, he has been gone, but we’re nonetheless discussing the identical points,” Femi mentioned, including that corruption, insecurity, tribalism and terrorism now pose even larger threats to the nation.
He urged Nigerians, notably younger individuals, to channel the worldwide recognition of Nigerian music into constructing the nation and addressing its core issues.
“This recognition is sweet for Nigeria and Africa. We should always use it to construct the nation, construct our music trade, and are available collectively,” he added.
