By Opeyemi Adelakun
Nigerian singer Augustine Miles Kelechi, popularly known as Tekno, has sparked debate over the history of Afrobeat after arguing that the late music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was not the only legend who contributed to the development of the genre.
Tekno made the remarks during an interview with Hot 97 FM in New York, where he acknowledged Fela’s enormous influence on African music but maintained that several other musicians also helped shape the sounds that later became associated with Afrobeat and Afrobeats.
The singer particularly highlighted the contributions of eastern Nigerian highlife musicians, naming the late Oliver De Coque among the artistes he believes deserve greater recognition.
According to Tekno, his perspective is partly influenced by his upbringing in the eastern part of Nigeria, where he was exposed to the works of several music pioneers.
He said Fela remains a legendary figure, especially for his role in exposing Afrobeat to international audiences, but argued that the history of the genre should not be centred on one artiste.
“Fela is not the only person who contributed to Afrobeat. People in Lagos and the Yoruba community may see him as the originator, but coming from the East, I grew up listening to legends such as Oliver De Coque,” Tekno said.
He explained that Oliver De Coque’s highlife music and the works of other eastern musicians had a significant influence on his own musical journey.
Tekno noted that some of the music produced by those artistes decades ago remains impressive when compared with contemporary sounds.
“We had musicians in the East whose music was so advanced that listening to some of those records today, you would hardly believe they were made during that period,” he said.
The singer also acknowledged Fela’s influence on his career, revealing that the late musician’s music inspired his own work, including his song ‘Rara’.
“‘Rara’ was strongly influenced by Fela because his music was part of what I listened to while growing up. He was a legend and he helped take Afrobeat beyond Nigeria,” Tekno said.
However, he maintained that other pioneers should not be forgotten simply because Fela achieved greater international exposure.
He attributed Fela’s dominant place in the global narrative partly to his extensive travels and performances outside Nigeria, which helped expose his music to international audiences.
Tekno said his personal musical influences also extend to Oliver De Coque and other eastern Nigerian legends, noting that his father frequently played their records while he was growing up.
“I was also deeply influenced by Oliver De Coque and other musicians from the East. My father played their music a lot, so their sound became part of my upbringing,” he said.
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