Ayomide Olaniyan
Former presidential advisor Babafemi Ojudu has slammed a young Nigerian artist for comparing himself to the legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
This comes after Nigerian singer Wizkid engaged in a heated online debate with Fela’s son, Seun Kuti, boldly asserting his superiority over the late music icon.
In a detailed Facebook post on Wednesday, Ojudu portrayed Fela as an irreplaceable cultural and musical force whose impact spans decades.
He stated, “Did I hear correctly that a young Nigerian believes he surpasses Fela? One can only hope this is a misunderstanding.
“Even if granted multiple lifetimes, he could never match Fela’s artistic brilliance and revolutionary spirit.”
The seasoned journalist and political figure emphasized Fela’s groundbreaking role in music and activism, calling him “a cultural earthquake, a voice of dissent, and a living revolution.”
“Fela transcended music—he was a force of nature. Afrobeat, his brainchild, is now a globally celebrated genre, dissected in academic institutions and reimagined by contemporary artists,” Ojudu elaborated.
He lauded Fela’s fearlessness and originality, emphasizing how his music “redefined African culture and political resistance” during Nigeria’s oppressive military regimes.
“Standing resolute against dictatorships, Fela turned rhythm into rebellion. His lyrics dismantled corruption, neocolonialism, and brutality, earning him relentless persecution—imprisonment, torture, exile—yet his spirit remained unbroken,” he noted.
Ojudu revisited Fela’s personal tragedies, including the state-ordered murder of his mother, the burning of his commune, Kalakuta Republic, and countless seizures of his assets.
“His mother was assassinated. Kalakuta was razed. His property confiscated. Beaten, jailed, exiled—yet Fela emerged each time with fiercer melodies and bolder truths,” he wrote.
Delivering a stern admonition, Ojudu declared that any aspirant to Fela’s legacy must endure comparable suffering and steadfastness.
“Before claiming equality with Fela, one must survive Nigeria’s darkest dungeons: Lagos Panti, Benin cells. Face tribunals. Lose all. Flee and return with undiminished fire.”
Celebrating Fela’s genius, Ojudu hailed him as “a polymath—musician, philosopher, bandleader—whose legacy echoes worldwide.”
“Fela never sought validation. The world bowed to him,” he asserted.
Closing his remarks, Ojudu dismissed the comparison as baseless.
“Whoever uttered such words deserves no response. Unlike Fela—who faced soldiers with a saxophone—this ‘star’ would likely crumble at a policeman’s whisper. Anikulapo conquered death. His music still speaks; his fight still resonates.”
David Ochayi
