Veteran Nigerian musician 2Face Idibia has entered the public discourse surrounding comments by singer Wizkid, criticizing comparisons between Wizkid and the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti as both disrespectful and misguided.
The controversy began after Wizkid, in response to criticism from Seun Kuti—Fela’s son—asserted that he is “bigger” than the iconic activist and musician. Seun Kuti had previously condemned fans and media for drawing parallels between Wizkid, known for his global hit “Ojuelegba,” and his father, a pioneer whose work defined a political and musical era.
In a preview from the upcoming “Mic On” podcast, 2Face Idibia offered a measured but firm rebuttal. He described the direct comparison as “ridiculous,” arguing it fails to account for the vastly different historical contexts and unique impacts of each artist.
“Comparing Fela with Wizkid is ridiculous. Apart from the fact that it is disrespectful to Fela, and at the same time, it is also unfair to Wizkid,” 2Face stated. He explained that juxtaposing the two overlooks their distinct eras, with Fela’s revolutionary Afrobeat and socio-political activism in the 1970s and 80s forming a stark contrast to Wizkid’s contemporary Afrobeats sound and international commercial success in the 2010s and 2020s.
2Face, a foundational figure in modern Nigerian pop music himself, emphasized that each artist’s contribution to the nation’s cultural landscape is singular and should be evaluated within its own framework. His comments highlight a broader tension within Nigerian arts discourse regarding the honoring of historical legacies while acknowledging new generational achievements.
The debate underscores ongoing conversations about artistic influence, legacy, and the metrics used to measure musical impact across different epochs. By rejecting the comparison, 2Frame’s intervention calls for a more nuanced appreciation of Nigeria’s diverse musical heritage, separating the specific, era-defining legacy of Fela Kuti from the contemporary global rise of artists like Wizkid. The full podcast episode is anticipated to provide further context on his perspective.
