By our reporter 28.8.2026
Highlife and Afrobeats music singer Augustine Miles Kelechi Okechukwu a.k.a Tekno’s claim that music legend Fela Kuti was not the originator of Afrobeats has sparked a social media fury.
Tekno made the claim during an interview on HOT 97 stating that the Afrobeats music genre could not be traced to a single individual. He acknowledged Fela’s impact while pointing to other Nigerian music legends who influenced the sound
“I don’t know, to be honest. There are legends like Oliver De Coque that made pure highlife music, and highlife is also Afrobeat.
“I would say I was more inspired by Oliver De Coque because my dad used to play his records. There were so many artists that nobody knows about, and Fela gets the credit because he kind of travelled and had the band and went around the world. For some people, he is the originator of the Afrobeat thing, but to me, there are still a bunch of them and a lot of legends no one speaks about,” Tekno claimed.
On X social media platform most music fans did not buy his explanation.
@Laykay1103: “This Tekno is so loud in ignorance. Same Oliver De Coque who was a guitarist under late Jacob Oluwole?
@osazenoo: “Afrobeat wasn’t originated by one person, but it was popularized and established as a distinct genre by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Music genres rarely emerge from a single individual; they evolve through the contributions of several artists before someone gives the sound prominence.”
@YDiegot55901: “Activism make them give fela that crown. But others sings better than him though.”
@AgbajeFela: “Well Teckno you can hate as you want. Fela Anikulapo Kuti found Afrobeat, other great artists line up at his back. Mind you highlife is different from Afrobeat, your hate won’t let you think.”
@DanielRegha: ” Fela remains the pioneer of Afrobeats; Point blank period.”
@ojujucartel: “Oriental brothers, Osadebe, Imo brothers, Ali Chukwuma, Mike Ejeagha, Oliver de coque and so many others. Submit your ewedu Afonja tears here.
@x_pricze: “He said Fela is not the originator of Afrobeats. To me, there’s a bunch of them. But he didn’t back it up with records, facts, or a timeline, just all word of mouth. Nigerian celebrities are not as intelligent as their fame.”
@elvis7792: “Fela became the face of Afrobeat not because he sang better than others at the time but because of his activism. I think his background still played a major role. I’ve listened to many who sing better than him.”