Veteran entertainer and activist Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has weighed in on the ongoing online spat between Afrobeats star Wizkid and Seun Kuti, son of the late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
The disagreement was sparked after Wizkid declared himself greater than Fela in order to spite his Seun, whith whom he was engaged in online spat. In response, Seun fired back with a sarcastic post in which he referred to Wizkid as a “short man,” having earlier accused the singer’s fanbase of disrespecting his father’s legacy by comparing Wizkid to the Afrobeat icon.
However, reacting to the exchange in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Charly Boy dismissed the comparison as unnecessary, describing it as a clash of different eras and purposes.
The 75-year-old maverick acknowledged the immense success and influence of both artistes but stressed that their impacts in music serve fundamentally different ends. According to him, Wizkid’s music — including his global hit ‘Made in Lagos’ — was largely crafted to entertain and spread joy, while Fela’s body of work was deeply rooted in social consciousness, aimed at challenging power and confronting societal ills.
“Wizkid dey sing for crowd, stadium full, light dey flash, money dey talk, awards dey stack, world dey shout: Starboy! Fela no need spotlight, him own be fire for chest, kalakuta be him stage. Truth be hin microphone,” he wrote.
“One dey rule charts, one dey rule conscience. One dey give sweet escape, one dey give hard reality.”
On the debate over who is “bigger,” Charly Boy said the answer ultimately depends on personal values and perspective. He noted that Wizkid may come out on top when measured by popularity and commercial success, while Fela remains unmatched when judged by his activism and fight for freedom.
“Different time, different battle, different kind of greatness. No be who big pass… Na who touch your soul pass. 
,” Charly Boss added.
