Yeni Kuti, daughter of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has spoken against ongoing comparisons between her father and today’s music stars, describing such debates as unnecessary and disrespectful.

She made the remarks during an interview on ARISE News, which was shared on Monday.

According to Yeni, Fela’s continued relevance nearly three decades after his death already speaks to the strength of his legacy. She said contemporary artistes should focus on competing within their own generation rather than placing cultural icons in rivalry narratives.

She said, “Don’t compare chalk and cheese. Fela is a legend. Give him his flowers.

“He’s done his own if you are still talking about him 29 years after his death. And you are comparing, you are not walking dead now. You are not a dead man walking.

“You are comparing yourself to someone who has been gone 29 years. It’s not a good thing. Compare yourself with your peers or we should compare ourselves with our peers and leave him and leave our legends alone.”

Her comments come amid renewed public conversations around Fela’s legacy following his recent recognition by the Recording Academy.

Fela was posthumously honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Special Merit Awards held in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 31, ahead of the main Grammy ceremony.

The award was accepted on his behalf by his children, Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa and Femi Kuti.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also paid tribute to the late Afrobeat pioneer, describing the recognition as a fitting global salute to an icon whose music and ideals reshaped generations.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Tinubu said the honour appropriately celebrates a cultural giant whose artistic brilliance and fearless expression elevated African music and identity on the world stage.

According to the President, Fela was more than a musician, portraying him as a powerful voice of resistance whose lyrics and performances challenged oppression, confronted injustice, and awakened social consciousness across continents.

“The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award affirms Fela’s foundational role in African music and his lasting impact on global popular culture,” Tinubu said.

He added that the recognition reflects Fela’s enduring influence on Nigerian artistes and the global rise of Afrobeats, noting that his relevance has remained strong long after his death.