Veteran entertainer and activist Charly Boy has weighed in on the ongoing social media feud between Grammy-winning singer Wizkid and Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti regarding claims about musical greatness and influence. The controversy has captured widespread attention across Nigeria, sparking debates about modern pop music versus Afrobeat’s revolutionary legacy.
The clash initially began after Wizkid made comments suggesting that he is bigger than the legendary Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, a statement that quickly stirred public outrage. Many Nigerians rushed to defend Fela’s enduring legacy as a cultural icon and a revolutionary voice who used music as a tool to confront oppression, inequality, and political corruption.
How the Wizkid and Seun Kuti feud started
Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Fela, did not take Wizkid’s remarks lightly. He responded publicly on social media, stressing that his late father’s influence cannot be measured by popularity, chart success, or awards. According to Seun, Fela’s music shaped political awareness, sparked social consciousness, and gave a voice to the oppressed in Nigeria and across Africa, a level of impact that modern pop success cannot match.
The back-and-forth between the two artistes drew massive reactions online, with fans passionately defending either Wizkid or Seun Kuti’s perspective. Social media timelines were filled with discussions, memes, and analyses of Fela’s revolutionary legacy versus Wizkid’s global commercial success, highlighting the generational and stylistic divide between the two musical icons.
Charly Boy steps into the conversation
Reacting to the heated debate, Charly Boy shared a reflective and poetic post on his social media platforms, urging Nigerians to view the situation beyond simple comparisons or competition. He emphasized that each artist’s greatness manifests in different ways and that it is unfair to judge them by the same standards.
In his post, Charly Boy highlighted the contrast between Wizkid’s crowd-pulling entertainment power and Fela’s revolutionary spirit. “Wizkid dey sing for crowd, stadium full, light dey flash, money dey talk, awards dey stack,” he wrote, describing Wizkid’s ability to entertain and captivate massive audiences globally.
He then contrasted this with Fela’s unique approach to music and activism: “Fela no need spotlight, him own be fire for chest, kalakuta be him stage, truth be him microphone.” Charly Boy underscored that while Wizkid’s music brings joy, excitement, and temporary escape to his fans, Fela’s work was designed to provoke thought, challenge authority, and awaken people’s consciousness.
Different eras, different greatness
Charly Boy further emphasized that comparing the two artistes directly misses the larger picture, as they belong to different generations and faced distinct societal challenges. “One dey rule charts, one rule conscience,” he said, highlighting that Wizkid represents fame, entertainment, and global appeal, while Fela symbolizes resistance, activism, and freedom of expression.
He concluded his commentary by reminding fans that the true measure of greatness depends on what resonates most with each individual. “River and fire no dey compete,” Charly Boy wrote. “One cool your body, one burn your chain. No be who big pass… Na who touch your soul pass.” His words served as a reminder that musical impact can be diverse, with each artiste leaving a legacy in their own distinct way.
Charly Boy’s intervention has been widely shared and discussed online, with many fans applauding his nuanced take on the debate, recognizing that both Wizkid and Fela have contributed meaningfully to Nigerian music and culture in their respective ways.