Seun Kuti alleges Wizkid stole his long-used nickname during a livestream, urging the singer to be original
Seun Kuti, Nigerian Afrobeat musician and son of legendary singer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has accused award-winning artiste Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, of taking a nickname he claims to have used for years.
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Seun Kuti made the allegation during a livestream on Tuesday, where he reacted to a comment from a Wizkid fan who urged him to change his nickname, popularly known as “Big Bird”.
Responding firmly, Seun Kuti said the nickname belonged to him long before Wizkid adopted it, insisting he had no intention of changing it.
Seun Kuti told the viewer that the Afrobeats star should be advised to be more original, stressing that he was the first to use the name and was not interested in competing with anyone over it.
The outspoken musician said he found it unnecessary for fans to pressure him into dropping an identity he had carried for years, describing the request as misplaced.
The Seun Kuti Wizkid nickname dispute adds to a history of public commentary by the Afrobeat singer on contemporary Nigerian music culture, where he has often challenged narratives surrounding celebrity influence and originality.
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Neither Wizkid nor his management has responded publicly to the claim as of the time of reporting.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
