Nigerian singer Augustine Miles Kelechi, popularly known as Tekno, has stirred debate after disputing the widely held belief that the late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was the originator of Afrobeats.
Tekno made the remarks during a recent interview with Hot 97 FM in New York, where he argued that several African music legends, including veteran highlife musician Oliver De Coque, played significant roles in shaping the sound that evolved into Afrobeats.
According to the singer, Fela deserves recognition for his immense contribution to the genre, particularly for taking the music to international audiences. However, he maintained that other musicians who contributed to the development of African music have not received the same level of recognition.
“Fela is not the originator of Afrobeats. Lagos people and the Yorubas might say he is the one, but I am from the East, and we had legends like Oliver De Coque. Oliver De Coque made pure highlife music. Highlife is also Afrobeats,” Tekno said.
He noted that his own music has been influenced by Fela, particularly his song ‘Rara’, which he said was inspired by the late music icon’s sound.
“My song ‘Rara’ is heavily inspired by Fela because I heard his music while growing up. He is a legend. He was the one who took Afrobeat international. But there are other people that we listen to. In the East, we had some legends who sang some type of music that, if you heard today, you wouldn’t believe was made in those times,” he added.
Tekno also revealed that he grew up listening to Oliver De Coque and other Eastern Nigerian music legends, noting that his father frequently played their records at home.
“I feel like these legends deserved more recognition. I would say I was more inspired by Oliver De Coque and his peers from the East. My dad used to play his music a lot,” he said.
The singer attributed Fela’s prominence in discussions about the origins of the genre partly to his extensive international exposure and performances.
“Fela gets all the credit because he travelled and performed with his band around the world. To some people, he is the originator of Afrobeats, but to me, there are a bunch of them—legends that no one speaks about,” Tekno said.
BACKSTORY:
Nigerian singer Tekno has sparked debate over the origins of Afrobeats after arguing that the late music icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti should not be regarded as the sole originator of the genre. Speaking during an interview with Hot 97 FM in New York, Tekno acknowledged Fela’s major influence and role in taking Afrobeat to the international stage, but highlighted the contributions of Eastern Nigerian highlife legends, particularly Oliver De Coque.
