Veteran Nigerian entertainer, activist, and social commentator, Charly Boy, also widely known by his stage name Area Fada, has finally added his voice to the ongoing public debate surrounding the comparison between Afrobeats superstar Wizkid and the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
The discussion initially gained traction after Seun Kuti, Fela’s youngest son, publicly called out Wizkid’s fans for hailing the singer as the “new Fela,” sparking heated reactions from social media users and fans of both artists.
In response, Wizkid reportedly doubled down on the assertion, claiming that he is greater than his father, the legendary Fela Kuti, further intensifying the debate and drawing widespread attention from the public and entertainment analysts alike.
Observing the debate, Charly Boy took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to weigh in, describing the comparison as misguided and lacking depth. He noted that arguments of this nature often emerge from a shallow understanding of history, culture, and the distinct impact each artist has had within their respective eras.
According to the veteran entertainer, while younger audiences may prioritize popularity, commercial success, and social media influence when measuring greatness, older generations typically assess the cultural and societal impact, substance, and legacy left behind by a figure in their field.
Charly Boy further elaborated on the distinct legacies of both Wizkid and Fela. He explained that Wizkid represents modern stardom, international recognition, financial success, and entertainment appeal, while Fela symbolized resistance, political activism, truth-telling, and social consciousness. Each artist, he said, has excelled within the framework of their time and the challenges they faced, making any direct comparison inappropriate.
He highlighted that Wizkid’s music primarily entertains, provides an escape, and dominates charts and global stages, whereas Fela’s music was deliberately crafted to awaken minds, challenge oppression, and incite societal reflection. In essence, one rules the contemporary music scene while the other ruled conscience and activism, Charly Boy noted.
In his post, Charly Boy stressed that comparing the two artists is unnecessary because they belong to entirely different eras and engaged in different battles. He used the metaphor of fire and water, stating that both are immensely powerful in their own ways but cannot be measured by the same standard. He argued that true greatness is not about who is bigger, but about whose work touches the soul more deeply.
Charly Boy’s exact words were as follows:
“Wiz and Fela. ‘Who Big Pass?’ Small boys go write/talk like small boys. Elders go make you think. Wizkid dey sing for crowd, stadium full, light dey flash, money dey talk, awards dey stack, world dey shout: Starboy! Fela no need spotlight, him own be fire for chest, kalakuta be him stage, truth be him microphone. Wizkid dey make dem dance, make pain small, make joy flow, Fela dey make dem think, make fear run, make mind wake. One dey rule charts, one rule conscience. One dey give sweet escape, one dey give hard reality. So who big pass? Na who you dey measure am by. If na fame and cruise — Wizkid. If na fight and freedom — Fela. But hear me well, my people: River and fire no dey compete. One cool your body, one burn your chain. Different time, different battle, different kind of greatness. No be who big pass… Na who touch your soul pass. 🎶🔥 Na him Fada wan Know jare.”[/p>
Charly Boy’s statement has since gone viral, generating widespread discussion on social media platforms, with fans of both artists engaging in debates over the meaning of greatness and how it should be measured in the context of music, activism, and cultural influence.[/p>
Check out his post below …
