Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, widely known as Daddy Freeze, has pushed back against growing comparisons between global Afrobeats star Wizkid and the late Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, arguing that the two figures occupy fundamentally different historical and cultural spaces.
Speaking during a video broadcast, Daddy Freeze said equating Wizkid with Fela overlooks the depth of the late musician’s activism and political sacrifice, which he described as inseparable from his music.
According to him, Fela’s legacy was built not only on sound but on resistance—often at great personal cost.
“Until Wizkid is ready to confront government authority and fight openly for civil rights, the comparison doesn’t hold,” he said, insisting that Fela’s influence went far beyond entertainment.
Daddy Freeze recalled the final years of Fela’s life, noting that the Afrobeat pioneer endured repeated arrests and persecution for challenging military regimes. He referenced Fela’s release from prison shortly before his death, claiming authorities feared the backlash that could follow if he died in custody.
“He wasn’t a troublemaker,” Daddy Freeze said. “He was a freedom fighter.”
He stressed that any discussion about Fela must account for his activism, describing it as deeply intertwined with his music and public persona.
“You can’t talk about Fela and leave out what he stood for,” he added. “His music and his activism went hand in hand. You can’t separate them.”
The comments have reignited debate on social media, where fans often compare modern Afrobeats stars with Fela’s towering legacy. While Wizkid is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most successful contemporary musicians, Daddy Freeze’s remarks underline a broader argument: that cultural impact is not measured by fame alone, but by the risks taken and the causes defended.
