Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy Already on Fela’s Level – Shaffy Bello
Kehinde Adeleye
Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has sparked debate after claiming that Afrobeats superstars Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy are already operating on the same global level as the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Bello made the remarks during a recent episode of the What I Know podcast, hosted by Korty EO, alongside veteran musician Seyi Sodimu.
When asked whether today’s Nigerian artists could ever attain a legendary status as influential as Fela’s, Bello argued that some had already done so — at least in terms of international recognition.
“I feel some of our guys have reached that,” she said. “The Big 3 have reached it already. International recognition is what we affirm as reaching that level.
“In terms of recognition, power and money, I feel like our Big 3 or Big 4 have reached Fela’s level already — Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and even Asake.”
Her comments come amid renewed global attention on Fela’s legacy. The Recording Academy recently announced that Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will be honoured with a Special Merit Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, making him the first African artist to receive the recognition.
In announcing the honour, Grammy organisers praised Fela not only for his music but also for his enduring cultural impact, pointing to landmarks such as the Kalakuta Museum and the New Afrika Shrine as symbols of his influence.
However, Bello’s comparison echoes a long-running debate within Nigeria’s music industry. Fela’s son, Grammy-nominated musician Seun Kuti, has repeatedly cautioned against comparing contemporary Afrobeats stars with his late father.
Seun Kuti has described such comparisons as “disrespectful”, urging Nigerians to allow Fela’s legacy to stand on its own. He has also criticised artists who describe themselves as the “New Fela”, insisting that his father’s cultural, political and artistic impact remains unmatched.
Shaffy Bello, Fela Kuti, Afrobeats Big 3, Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, Nigerian music debate, Grammy Awards 2026, Afrobeat legacy
