Fela Created the Game, Wizkid Mastered It — Ope Banwo
Music executive and Stingomania Records founder, Dr. Ope Banwo, has weighed in on the recurring comparisons between Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and global superstar Wizkid, offering a perspective he says puts respect on both names without forcing an unnecessary rivalry.
According to Banwo, the debate misses a key point: the two artistes are not competitors, but products of different moments in music history.
Fela created the game. Wizkid mastered it,” Banwo said.
He described Wizkid as one of the most successful African musicians of the modern era, praising his global reach, consistency, and ability to take Afrobeat to mainstream audiences across continents.
“Wizkid is a certified global superstar — hit records, international awards, sold-out arenas, and undeniable influence. He has taken Afrobeat to places many of us never imagined,” Banwo stated.
However, Banwo noted that Fela’s contribution operates on a different level entirely, one that transcends commercial success.
“Fela didn’t just make music; he invented a sound, a movement, and a cultural language. Afrobeat did not exist until Fela created it. He wasn’t chasing charts — he was shaping identity, resistance, and consciousness through music,” he said.
The Stingomania Records founder explained that while Wizkid represents the peak of Afrobeat’s global success, Fela represents its origin.
“You compare Wizkid with the giants of his generation — Burna Boy, Davido, Drake. But Fela belongs in the category of creators and revolutionaries. He changed the ecosystem itself,” Banwo added.
Banwo stressed that comparing the two directly ignores the natural evolution of music.
“You don’t compare the inventor of the game to the player who perfected it. Wizkid is playing at an elite level, but he is playing on a field Fela built,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing that acknowledging Fela’s foundational role does not diminish Wizkid’s greatness.
“Wizkid is great — no debate there. But Fela is legacy. One mastered the game; the other created it. Both deserve respect, but they are not in the same lane.”
