Samkleff Accuses Fela of Stealing Afrobeat from Orlando Julius Instead of Creating It

Samklef 

Renowned music producer Samuel Oguachuba, better known as Samklef, has stirred controversy by challenging Nigeria’s widely accepted Afrobeat narrative. The hitmaker behind “Molowo” has dismissed claims that Fela Anikulapo-Kuti originated the genre, instead attributing its creation to veteran musician Orlando Julius Ekemode.

Samklef’s explosive remarks emerged amidst the ongoing public dispute between his former collaborator Wizkid and the late Fela’s family. The producer boldly accused Fela of appropriating Orlando Julius’ musical blueprint, even alleging the veteran artist mentored him in saxophone mastery.

Through a series of tweets featuring archival images of Orlando Julius, Samklef proclaimed: “This musical pioneer – Orlando Julius Ekemode – is the true architect of Afrobeat! History remembers Fela as the innovator, but he adopted this genius’s revolutionary sound.”

In subsequent posts, the producer elaborated: “The historical record needs correction. Not only did Orlando craft Afrobeat’s foundation, he personally schooled Fela in saxophone technique. Nigeria’s greatest cultural failing remains our neglect of proper documentation. Consider this your first lesson in musical heritage.”

These assertions contradict conventional music scholarship that credits Fela with synthesizing Afrobeat from diverse influences including highlife, jazz, funk, and traditional Yoruba rhythms. The controversy has sparked fresh debate about musical lineage and cultural attribution in Nigeria’s vibrant music scene.