Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, known as Daddy Freeze, has shared his view on the ongoing debate comparing singer Wizkid to late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, saying the comparison is not fair.
The comments were made during a video discussion where Daddy Freeze explained that Fela’s impact went far beyond music and into activism, human rights, and service to the people.
According to him, Fela was not only an entertainer but also a fearless voice against bad governance and injustice.
He said the late musician spent years standing up to the authorities, risking his freedom and safety in the process.
Daddy Freeze recalled that Fela was once released from prison because the government feared that his death in custody could cause unrest across the country.
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He added that this showed how powerful Fela’s influence was at the time.
He stated that before any modern artiste can be placed in the same class as Fela, such a person must be ready to confront the government, defend the rights of citizens, and accept the risks that come with it.
Daddy Freeze concluded that Fela’s music and activism were deeply connected and could not be separated, adding that this rare blend is what made him different from many artists today.
He said, “Until Wizkid is ready to stand up and stone government, he shouldn’t compare himself to Fela. Did you know that Fela was released from prison just to prevent him from dying there?
“They released him to go and die at his home because they knew his death would spark an uproar if he died in the prison. That was 1995, I was a fresher in the university then.
“Fela was not a troublemaker; he was a freedom fighter. We are talking about music, but I cannot talk about Fela, if I don’t talk about everything he stood for. His activism and music went hand-in-glove. You can’t separate the two.”
