Veteran Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has sparked conversation in the Nigerian entertainment space by saying that some of today’s biggest Afrobeats stars have achieved the same level of international recognition as the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Bello made the comments during a recent episode of the What I Know podcast, hosted by Korty EO. The conversation turned to whether contemporary Nigerian artistes can ever be viewed as legends on the same scale as Fela, whose influence and cultural impact extended far beyond music.
When asked if any current artistes had reached that level, Shaffy Bello responded by naming some of Nigeria’s biggest global stars and underscoring their influence in today’s music industry. In her own words, she said:
“I feel some of our artists have reached that level. 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 Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and even Asake, are at that level.”
Her comments reflect the rising prominence of Nigerian music on the global stage, as artistes like Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy have consistently broken into international markets, collaborated with global acts, and headlined major festivals around the world.
Wizkid has made history as the first African artist to surpass 10 billion streams on Spotify, a milestone showing the broad appeal of his music globally. Burna Boy and Davido have also headlined major international stages and earned global awards and nominations for their work, helping shine a spotlight on Nigerian music beyond the continent.
However, Shaffy Bello’s remarks come amid ongoing debate about how to compare artists from different eras. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is widely respected not only for his musical innovations but also for his political activism and cultural influence in the 1970s and 1980s, qualities some argue set his legacy apart from purely commercial success.
Bello’s remarks have prompted fans and entertainment followers to weigh in, with some agreeing that modern stars have reached unprecedented global popularity, while others say Fela’s role in shaping Afrobeat and cultural identity remains uniquely foundational.
The discussion around legacy, influence and global impact continues to trend as Nigerian music strengthens its presence on the world stage.
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