Fela Didn’t Invent Afrobeat!’ – Samklef’s Statement Sets Social Media Ablaze

Popular music producer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly known as Samklef, has ignited controversy after asserting that legendary musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was not the true pioneer of Afrobeat, challenging a long-held belief.

Samklef claimed that the late Afrobeat icon borrowed heavily from veteran musician Orlando Julius Ekemode, whom he described as the real originator of the genre.

Making the claim amid the ongoing feud between his former associate Wizkid and Fela’s family, Samklef took to his (formerly Twitter) account to post a photo of Orlando Julius, accusing Fela of appropriating his musical style.

“This is the man who created Afrobeat! His name is Orlando Julius Ekemode! Fela stole his style!” he wrote.

He went further to allege that Orlando Julius significantly shaped Fela’s musical development.

“Fela stole Orlando Julius Ekemode’s style—the original Afrobeat founder. He even taught Fela how to play the saxophone!” Samklef added.

The producer also pointed to Nigeria’s poor historical documentation as a reason for the widespread misconceptions about Afrobeat’s origins.

“The problem with Nigeria is that we lack proper documentation. I’m starting to teach you all history,” he tweeted.

Samklef’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions online. While some users welcomed his push to explore Afrobeat’s roots, others accused him of undermining Fela’s legacy.

Many music enthusiasts acknowledged that Orlando Julius played a pivotal role in developing Afro-soul and early Afrobeat-influenced sounds during the 1960s and 1970s.

However, scholars and music historians widely recognize Fela Anikulapo-Kuti as the pioneer of Afrobeat, credited with blending funk, jazz, salsa, calypso, and traditional West African rhythms, while using the genre to deliver politically charged messages.

Fela’s innovation, consistency, and global influence remain the key reasons he is celebrated as the defining figure who popularized Afrobeat as a distinct musical genre.