Nigerian singer Augustine Miles Kelechi Okechukwu, popularly known as Tekno, has challenged the widely held view that late music legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was the sole originator of Afrobeats.
Tekno made the remarks during an interview on Hot 97 in New York, where he acknowledged Fela’s influence on Nigerian music but argued that other musicians also played significant roles in shaping the country’s musical heritage.
The singer, who grew up in Eastern Nigeria, recalled listening to highlife music and specifically mentioned legendary highlife musician Oliver De Coque as one of the artistes whose works influenced his appreciation of African music.
According to Tekno, Fela received much of the recognition associated with the genre because of his international exposure, including his tours and performances around the world.
“He obviously stamped the Afrobeats thing on the world map, but we have some other legends that sang very good music that, if you heard today, you wouldn’t even believe that those songs were made in those times,” he said.
Tekno said musicians such as Oliver De Coque and other pioneers also deserve greater recognition for their contributions to Nigerian music.
His comments have generated debate over the history and evolution of Afrobeat and Afrobeats, with some Nigerians supporting his position while others argue that Fela’s pioneering role should not be diminished.
The discussion has also highlighted the distinction between Afrobeat, the music pioneered and developed by Fela, and Afrobeats, the broader contemporary African popular music movement that emerged later and encompasses various musical influences.
