Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has said that Nigeria’s leading Afrobeats stars — Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy — have already attained a level of global recognition comparable to that of late Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
She made the statement during a recent episode of the What I Know podcast hosted by Korty EO, where she appeared alongside veteran musician Seyi Sodimu.
According to Bello, the trio’s international visibility and influence place them in the same legendary category as Fela, especially when recognition beyond Nigeria is used as the benchmark.
During the conversation, Korty EO asked: “Do you think that some of the present crop of Nigerian artists can reach a legendary status as big and impactful as Fela?”
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Bello responded: “I feel some of our guys have reached that. 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. I mean, Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and even Asake, too.”
Her comments come amid renewed global recognition of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. News Round The Clock recently reported that the Recording Academy named the Afrobeat pioneer a Special Merit Awards honoree for the 2026 Grammy Awards, making him the first African to receive the honour.
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The Grammy Awards organisers also acknowledged Fela’s wider cultural impact, pointing to enduring landmarks such as the Kalakuta Museum and the New Afrika Shrine as part of his legacy.
However, Fela’s son, Grammy-nominated musician Seun Kuti, has cautioned Nigerians against comparing contemporary Afrobeats stars with his late father. He described such comparisons as “disrespectful” and urged people to allow Fela’s legacy to stand on its own.
Seun Kuti also criticised artists who refer to themselves as the “New Fela,” insisting that the title should not be used lightly.
