David Ochayi
(Tekno. Photo by TheCable)
Afrobeats star Tekno has ignited a fiery debate by challenging the widespread belief that Fela Kuti single-handedly birthed the Afrobeat genre. His remarks have thrust Nigeria’s rich musical heritage into the spotlight.
During a recent on-air conversation, Tekno paid homage to Fela’s global impact but urged music fans to acknowledge earlier trailblazers who laid the foundation for contemporary Nigerian sounds.
The “Pana” crooner reminisced about his childhood in eastern Nigeria, where highlife legends like Oliver De Coque shaped his musical education. He emphasized that these pioneers crafted timeless melodies that remain essential to Africa’s sonic identity.
“Highlife is the DNA of modern Afrobeats,” Tekno asserted, questioning why history often overlooks the genre’s architects while celebrating Fela exclusively. He credited his father’s vinyl collection for introducing him to diverse Nigerian music legends whose work predates Afrobeat’s international breakthrough.
The discussion has polarized music enthusiasts across digital platforms. A vocal contingent supports Tekno’s stance, arguing that honoring highlife maestros like Sir Victor Uwaifo and Celestine Ukwu doesn’t undermine Fela’s legacy but rather enriches Nigeria’s musical narrative.
Detractors counter that Tekno’s comments blur crucial distinctions between Afrobeat’s revolutionary jazz-funk fusion and highlife’s guitar-driven cadence. Music historians point to Fela’s distinct compositions and social commentary as defining elements that crystallized Afrobeat as a standalone movement.
Cultural analysts observing the discourse note how contemporary artists are reassessing Nigeria’s musical genealogy. Some suggest the debate reflects a generational shift in valuing collective contributions over singular narrative arcs in music historiography.
The conversation continues evolving as younger listeners discover vintage recordings, proving that Nigeria’s musical roots run deeper than any one artist’s influence.
(Fela Kuti. Photo Credit: Instablog)
