FELA WASN’T THE PIONEER OF AFROBEATS — TEKNO

Tekno has reignited the debate over who truly pioneered Afrobeat, questioning the widely held belief that Fela Aníkúlápó-Kuti should be regarded as the genre’s pioneer.
Speaking during an interview or podcast, Tekno argued that while many Yoruba people recognise Fela as the pioneer of Afrobeat, legendary eastern Nigerian musician Oliver De Coque should also be considered when discussing the roots and development of the sound.
The comment has sparked fresh debate among music fans over the origins of Afrobeat and the different musicians who contributed to the evolution of African popular music.
Fela remains one of Africa’s most influential musicians and is widely credited with pioneering and popularising the Afrobeat genre internationally. However, Tekno’s remarks have reopened discussions about the musicians who influenced the sound before and around Fela’s era.
The debate also raises questions about whether the history of Afrobeat should be associated with one individual or viewed as the result of contributions from different musicians and musical traditions across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Tekno has been relatively quiet musically after spending considerable time in the United States.
The “Alhaji” hitmaker, once one of Nigeria’s most prominent Afrobeats stars, has recently returned with his new song “Ginger,” signalling another chapter in his musical career.
So, what do you think?
Was Fela truly the pioneer of Afrobeat, or should Oliver De Coque and other Nigerian music legends also be recognised for their contributions?