Tekno Makes Bold Claim About Fela Kuti’s Role In Afrobeat

Afrobeats singer Tekno has weighed in on the long-standing conversation surrounding the origins of Afrobeat and Afrobeats, arguing that the late Nigerian music icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti should not be regarded as the sole pioneer of the genre.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Tekno made the remarks during an interview with US radio station Hot 97, where he acknowledged Fela’s enormous contribution to African music while pointing out that several other Nigerian musicians played important roles in developing the sounds that influenced modern Afrobeats.

The singer, who grew up in eastern Nigeria, explained that his early exposure to highlife music shaped his understanding of the evolution of African music. He specifically mentioned legendary highlife musician Oliver De Coque as one of the artistes whose work deserves recognition in discussions about the genre’s roots.

Tekno noted that highlife was an important part of the musical foundation from which contemporary Afrobeats developed, stressing that several musicians created influential sounds long before the genre gained its present global recognition.

Despite his position, the singer acknowledged Fela’s immense influence on his own music. He revealed that his 2022 hit song “Rara” was heavily inspired by the Afrobeat pioneer, whom he described as a legend.

Tekno, however, maintained that Fela’s international exposure played a major role in making him the most recognised figure associated with the genre. According to him, Fela’s extensive travels and the global activities of his band helped take his music beyond Nigeria and Africa.

He argued that many other legendary musicians produced exceptional music during the same era but did not receive the same level of international recognition because their works were not exposed to global audiences in the same way.

Tekno’s comments have reignited discussions about the history and evolution of African music, particularly the distinction between Fela’s pioneering Afrobeat sound and the broader musical influences that contributed to the emergence of modern Afrobeats.