By Prosper Mene
Yeni Kuti, the eldest daughter of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has broken her silence on the heated online feud between her brother, Seun Kuti, and Grammy-winning superstar Wizkid, affectionately calling the singer her “padi” (friend) and expressing her deep affection for him despite the controversy.
The dispute erupted earlier this week when Seun Kuti accused Wizkid’s fanbase (known as Wizkid FC) of disrespecting their late father’s legacy by comparing Wizkid favorably to Fela or claiming superiority in influence. The exchange quickly escalated into personal insults on social media, with both artists trading barbs and drawing in fans, celebrities, and public figures.
Speaking on TVC’s morning show Your View on Thursday, Yeni Kuti emphasized her longstanding personal connection to Wizkid, recalling his early days in the music scene. “I love Wizkid a lot. You know, Wizkid is my padi now,” she said. “When two giants fight, it’s the grass that suffers. I refuse to enter some of the insults that they are hauling because I love Wizkid a lot. Wizkid is my padi now and my so friend. We have come a long way together. I remember when we started that shrine, he was a backup singer at the shrine during Felabration.”
Yeni expressed disappointment that the situation spiraled, particularly noting that Wizkid could have intervened earlier to curb escalating insults directed at Fela. “All the insults people have been hurling towards Fela, I wish he (Wizkid) had put a stop to it, but he didn’t,” she added. She also highlighted the broader impact, warning that the public spat reflects poorly on Nigeria rather than just the Kuti family. “You’re dirtying Nigeria, not Fela’s family,” she stated, urging peace and unity, especially with Fela’s legacy set to be celebrated at the upcoming Grammy Awards.
Yeni stressed her refusal to take sides aggressively, prioritizing her friendship with Wizkid and the shared history between him and the Kuti family through events like Felabration at the New Afrika Shrine. Her comments have caused mixed reactions online, with some praising her maturity and calls for peace, while others debate the origins of the conflict and loyalty to Fela’s heritage.
The feud continues to generate buzz across Nigerian entertainment circles, highlighting tensions around legacy, generational shifts in Afrobeat/Afropop, and fan-driven comparisons. Neither Wizkid nor Seun Kuti has publicly responded directly to Yeni’s statements as of press time.
