Olamide Sparks Online Debate: Declares Wizkid the Greatest Afrobeats Artist After Fela

Popular Nigerian rapper and YBNL boss Olamide recently set social media ablaze after publicly declaring that, “after Fela, Wizkid is the greatest Afrobeats artist ever.” The comment reignited discussions about who truly represents the legacy of Afrobeats in the modern era. Let’s dive into the reactions, debates, and implications of this bold statement.

Social Media Reactions

Fans across X (formerly Twitter) had very strong opinions. Some cheered, while others pushed back with global accolades and rankings.

• @callmetunde_: “Wizkid is now the pinnacle of Afrobeats. All other opinions are invalid. No more debates.” [source]
• @Johnnyescoba: “I will take Grammy and Billboard words over a fool like Olamide.” [source]
• @nahereicomedey: “Grammy: Burna Boy is the greatest African artist. Billboard: Burna Boy is the greatest African artist… Yet somehow, Wizkid fans think opinions from local artists like Olamide actually matter.” [source]
• @Remmzor__: “Na Burna Boy fans this statement pain pass, their tears just full TL since yesterday…” [source]
• @itzbazito: “Burna Boy went on a live stream and said he’s the greatest Nigerian artiste after Fela … these nlggas fans have been crying since yesterday cos Olamide said Wizkid is the greatest Afrobeats artiste after Fela.” [source]
• @1BENNY7G: “Thinking about it: Burna Boy, Davido and even Wizkid will not answer that question the way Olamide did. They’ll rather skip the question or mention themselves … low self esteem is real.” [source]
• @_blizboy: “Billboard recognise Davido as the face of afrobeat … but Olamide from Sango Ota talk say na Wizkid.” [source]

Broader Online Response

Beyond individual tweets, media outlets and fan pages highlighted how Olamide’s declaration stirred a heated debate across Afrobeats communities:

“With Burna Boy previously declaring himself the ‘greatest African artist after Fela,’ and Davido often referring to himself as the ‘King of Afrobeats,’ fans of all three artists quickly turned social media into a battleground.”
— Talk Talk Nigeria

“Olamide’s praise of Wizkid fueled a fresh debate among Afrobeats lovers and fanbases, citing his consistency, global impact, and influence.”
— Legit.ng

“Olamide later clarified that this is a personal opinion and not an attempt to diminish Burna Boy or Davido’s legacies.”
— Dockaysworld

Implications for Afrobeats & Fans

• Legacy Debate Rekindled: This statement reignites conversations about who carries Fela’s legacy into modern Afrobeats.
• Respect vs Rivalry: Some fans see it as genuine respect; others interpret it as fueling rivalry among the “Big 3” (Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido).
• Global vs Local Validation: Many references to awards (Grammys, Billboard) show a tension between global recognition and local/cultural influence.
• Collaborative Power: Olamide emphasizes the importance of creative partnerships, highlighting his long history of collaborations with Wizkid.
• Cultural Significance: Placing Wizkid after Fela positions him as the heir to a genre-defining legacy, adding historical weight to his contributions.

Conclusion

Olamide’s bold declaration has sparked one of the most lively debates in Afrobeats history. While fans will continue to argue, the conversation emphasizes the depth, complexity, and global reach of Nigerian music today. Whether you agree or disagree, one thing is clear: Afrobeats has firmly established itself on the world stage, and artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and Olamide remain at the center of the discussion.

Published by AgbaLoaded