Yeni Kuti Advises Artists: "Compare Yourself with Your Peers, Not Fela"

Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, recently spoke in an interview with Arise TV, advising contemporary artists to refrain from comparing themselves to her late father. She stressed the importance of respecting Fela's legacy and achievements, pointing out that his continued relevance even 29 years after his death speaks for itself.

Yeni received the Fela's Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammys on behalf of her family. She emphasized that artists should not try to diminish Fela's achievements by comparing themselves to him, stating, "Don't compare chalk and cheese." Yeni highlighted that while it's fine to compare oneself with peers, it's crucial to leave legends like Fela alone and show respect.

This advice comes in the wake of recent controversies, including Wizkid's claim of being bigger than Fela, which sparked outrage. Yeni's comments echo sentiments expressed by Fela's son, Seun Kuti, who criticized the comparison between contemporary artists and the Afrobeat legend.