Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, has weighed in on debates comparing singer Wizkid to the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, stressing that the two are not comparable.
Speaking in a video broadcast, Daddy Freeze argued that Fela’s influence extended far beyond music, highlighting his activism and philanthropy. He emphasized that Fela was a freedom fighter who challenged the government and championed civil rights, making his legacy more than just musical.
“Until Wizkid is ready to stand up and stone government, he shouldn’t compare himself to Fela,” Daddy Freeze said. “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 prison. That was 1995, I was a fresher in the university then.”
He continued, “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.”
Daddy Freeze’s comments underscore the enduring impact of Fela’s activism in addition to his musical achievements, suggesting that musical talent alone does not equate to Fela’s broader societal influence.
