Afrobeats Debate: Tekno Says Fela Was Not The Sole Originator

Nigerian musician Augustine Miles Kelechi, popularly known as Tekno, has reignited debate over the origins of Afrobeats after arguing that the late music legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti should not be regarded as the genre’s sole originator.

Tekno made the remarks during an interview on Hot 97 FM in New York, where he offered a different perspective on the history and evolution of African music.

“Fela is not the originator of Afrobeats,” the singer said.

According to Tekno, Fela’s prominence in discussions about the genre’s origins is partly linked to his international exposure and extensive performances around the world.

“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,” he said.

Tekno argued that highlife music, particularly the work of musicians from eastern Nigeria, also played an important role in shaping what is now broadly recognised as Afrobeats.

“Oliver De Coque made pure highlife music. Highlife is also Afrobeats,” he added.

The singer acknowledged Fela’s enormous influence on African music and revealed that the late icon inspired his hit song Rara.

However, he said his personal musical upbringing was more strongly influenced by eastern Nigerian highlife legends, particularly Oliver De Coque and his contemporaries.

“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,” Tekno said.

His comments have since sparked renewed discussion about the history of Afrobeats, a genre whose roots draw from several musical traditions and influential artists across different parts of Africa.