(Tekno. Photo by TheCable)
Nigerian singer Tekno has stirred up a major argument about music history by suggesting that Fela Anikulapo-Kuti should not be regarded as the sole creator of Afrobeat.
During a recent radio interview, Tekno discussed Fela’s influence but called for recognition of other musicians whose contributions helped shape Nigerian music.
Tekno, who grew up in eastern Nigeria, talked about listening to highlife music as a child.
He mentioned legendary musician Oliver De Coque as someone whose work influenced how he understood African music.
He said people like Oliver De Coque deserve recognition too, noting that highlife is also a form of Afrobeats.
While Tekno acknowledged that Fela took Afrobeat to the world stage, he argued that many other Nigerian pioneers made quality music that deserves attention.
He explained that his father used to play records from many artists who made great music in their time, but Fela gets most of the credit because he travelled globally with his band.
The comments sparked fierce debate on social media. Some people agreed with Tekno that Nigeria’s music history should not revolve around Fela alone.
They argued that musicians like Oliver De Coque, Osadebe and others from different regions contributed to the evolution of what became Afrobeats.
These supporters said recognising other pioneers does not diminish Fela’s achievements.
Others strongly disagreed and accused Tekno of distorting music history.
They insisted that Fela created Afrobeat and that highlife is a separate genre that should not be confused with it.
Many pointed out that Afrobeat without the different from Afrobeats with noting that the latter is a broader contemporary term for modern African pop music.
Some people took a middle position, saying Tekno had raised a valid point but did not explain it clearly enough.
They argued that highlife influenced Afrobeat and that other musicians contributed to its development, but that does not erase Fela’s pioneering role.
The debate has reignited questions about Nigerian music history and the many artists who shaped the country’s sound over decades.
(Fela Kuti. Photo Credit: Instablog)
