"Sampling Fela Does Not Make You Fela" – Seun Kuti Cautions Afrobeats Artists

Grammy-nominated Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has issued a warning to Afrobeats artists, advising them to refrain from making direct comparisons between themselves and his late father, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, merely because they sample his music or draw from his sound.

In a recent episode of the Hits Don’t Lie podcast, Seun expressed concern over a trend in the industry where some contemporary musicians refer to themselves as the “New Fela.”

While he acknowledged that parts of Fela’s work have been creatively reused in modern music, Seun asserted that sampling alone does not elevate any artist to the same status as the Afrobeat pioneer.

“A few people have done good samples of Fela’s music,” Seun stated. “But the only critique that I have is that sampling Fela doesn’t make you Fela.

“So people should stop saying that they are my dad. That is crazy. It’s crazy when people say that they are the ‘New Fela.’ Where is the ‘Bob Marley’? It is only in Nigeria you hear such things. People are wild,” he remarked.

Seun clarified that his concerns are not about honoring or drawing inspiration from Fela. He noted that Fela was not just a musician but also a cultural and political figure whose legacy encompassed radical activism, resistance to oppression, and a profound social consciousness that transcends mere sound or style.

In recent years, various Afrobeats artists have been compared to Fela, particularly those who have incorporated Afrobeat rhythms or politically charged themes into their music.

Global artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy have faced such comparisons due to their use of Fela-inspired samples and sonic elements.

This trend has also reached street-hop artists, with individuals like Bella Shmurda and Portable occasionally referring to themselves as the “New Fela.”

The discussion was reignited late last year when rapper Olamide caused controversy by labeling Wizkid as the “greatest Afrobeats artist after Fela,” a comment that split fans and sparked renewed dialogue about legacy and comparison.

For Seun Kuti, the underlying message is clear: celebrating modern Afrobeats artists does not necessitate altering history or overshadowing cultural icons. He believes Fela’s legacy remains distinct and should be respected as such.