Ayomide Olaniyan
Social media firebrand and activist VeryDarkMan, popularly known as VDM, has called out Afrobeat sensation Wizkid for what he describes as disrespect toward the legacy of the late music icon Fela Kuti.
In a trending video shared recently, VDM lamented Nigeria’s tendency to undervalue its musical pioneers, contrasting this with other nations that celebrate their artistic legends. He claimed that Nigerian trailblazers who speak up on national or industry issues often face ridicule or indifference.
His remarks followed the heated exchange between Wizkid and Seun Kuti, reigniting debates about generational respect in the music industry.
VDM listed several veteran artists—including Eldee the Don, African China, Plantation Boiz, Psquare, Remedies, Tony Tetuila, Jazzman Olofin, 9ice, Vector, Sasha P, Asa, Weird MC, 2Face Idibia, and Blackface—and criticized how they are dismissed as “yesterday’s news.”
The activist slammed Wizkid’s recent remarks, arguing that they emboldened fans to disparage Fela Kuti’s legacy. He acknowledged that disputes happen but insisted that Wizkid should have handled the matter with more maturity.
Addressing comparisons between Wizkid’s Grammy and Fela Kuti’s cultural impact, VDM dismissed claims that the award places Wizkid above the Afrobeat legend. He attributed the Grammy largely to Beyoncé’s influence rather than Wizkid’s solo work, calling it a “collaborative honor” rather than an individual achievement.
Wizkid earned his Grammy in 2021 as a featured artist on Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” in the Best Music Video category. VDM highlighted how Beyoncé herself has publicly honored Fela, performing “Zombie” as a tribute and praising his influence in interviews.
He noted that Fela’s “Zombie” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the late musician is set to receive a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award—an accolade he argued dwarfs Wizkid’s collaborative win.
VDM pointed to Burna Boy and Tems as examples of Nigerian artists whose Grammy victories stemmed from their own artistry. Burna Boy’s “Twice As Tall” secured Best Global Music Album, while Tems earned multiple awards for her vocal and songwriting contributions.
Defending Fela against personal criticisms, VDM questioned why figures like King Solomon are revered despite controversial lifestyles, while Fela’s legacy is constantly scrutinized.
Emphatically, he stated that Wizkid and many modern artists have yet to surpass Fela Kuti’s influence or that of the Kuti family—Femi, Seun, and Made Kuti—whose music continues to shape global cultural conversations.
David Ochayi
